Kim Je-deok claims bronze in men's recurve at archery worlds

Kim Je-deok of Korea celebrates after winning the bronze medal in the men's recurve individual event at the World Archery Championships at the May 18 Democracy Plaza in Gwangju, Jeolla Province, Thursday. Yonhap

Kim Je-deok won bronze in the men's recurve individual event at the World Archery Championships on home soil Thursday, his first individual medal at a major international event.

Kim defeated Matteo Borsani of Italy 7-3 (29-29, 30-29, 28-27, 28-30, 29-28) in the bronze medal match at the May 18 Democracy Plaza in Gwangju, Jeolla Province, giving the host Korea its fourth medal in the recurve competition here.

In individual recurve matches, archers each take three arrows per set, for a maximum score of 30 points. A set win is worth two points, and a tie is good for one point. The first archer to score six points is the winner.

Kim had won the men's team gold medal with Kim Woo-jin and Lee Woo-seok on Wednesday, while Korea earned silver in the mixed team and bronze in the women's team events on the same day.

Kim Je-deok, 21, was the only Korean to make it to the final eight, with teammates Kim Woo-jin getting knocked out in the round of 32 on Wednesday and Lee losing in the round of 16 on Thursday.

In the round of 16 during Thursday's morning session, Kim Je-deok defeated Yuki Kawata of Japan by the set score of 7-1 (29-25, 29-27, 28-28, 30-29).

Then in the quarterfinals held in the afternoon, Kim knocked off Tang Chih-Chun of Chinese Taipei 7-1 (29-27, 30-30, 29-28, 29-27).

Kim's run was stopped in the semifinals, where he lost to Andres Temino Mediel of Spain 6-4 (29-29, 29-28, 28-28, 29-30, 30-29).

In the bronze medal match held just a few minutes later, Kim beat Borsani for the hard-earned medal.

Before Thursday, Kim had won three Olympic gold medals and three world titles in only team events.

At the 16 previous editions of the world championships held since 1993, Korea had produced 13 winners in the men's recurve individual event.

Also Thursday, three Korean women, An San, Kang Chae-young and Lim Si-hyeon, all won their early knockout matches to reach the round of 16, scheduled for Friday.