 Shooter Kim Jang-mi, 19, won the gold in the women’s 25-meter pistol in her maiden Olympic appearance, Wednesday (KST). |
By Jung Min-hoPowered by unexpected medals and strong favorites coming through, Team Korea is now aiming beyond its initial goal of winning 10 gold medals. It now hopes to rewrite history in London by exceeding the 13 golds won in Beijing four years ago.
Several less-anticipated victories at the Summer Games completely changed the dynamic of Team Korea from negative to positive when its rosy prediction of winning four gold medals on the first two days faltered. First came the news from the Royal Artillery Barracks as 19-year-old Kim Jang-mi topped the podium in the women’s 25-meter pistol, in her maiden Olympic appearance on Aug. 1. At that point, few expected more surprises, especially in fencing where medal
 Boxer Han Soon-chul has already secured a bronze in the men’s lightweight division in London, Tuesday (KST). |
A day before Kim’s victory, Shin A-lam failed in her bid for the women’s epee title due to a controversial judging decision that allowed more time than the one second showing on the clock. Maybe the controversial judging call sparked other Korean fencers’ success. Choi Byung-chul took bronze in the men’s foil Wednesday, followed by Jung Jin-sun’s bronze in the men’s epee, and Kim Ji-yeon’s gold in the saber. Shin came away from the games with a medal, earning silver in the women’s team epee, while Korea also earned bronze in the women’s team foil, with the men’s saber team claiming the gold medal.
When the top judo medal hopeful Wang Ki-chun failed to reach the podium, many expected there would be no more medals in the sport after Kim Jae-bum’s gold in the men’s under -81-kilogram class. But Song Dae-nam at age 34 and in his Olympic debut was victorious in the men’s under -90 kilogram final.
Lightweight boxer Han Soon-chul has secured a spot on the Olympic podium after defeating Uzbekistan’s Fazliddin Gaibnazarov in the quarterfinals after Shin Jong-hun’s shock exit in his first match. After failing to reach the quarterfinals at the Beijing Games, the 27-year-old Han is now guaranteed at least a bronze as medals will be awarded to both losing semifinalists. He will next face Evaldas Petrauskas on Saturday.Korea stood in fourth place in the medal table as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, with 11 golds, 5 silvers and 6 bronzes. Undoubtedly, strong favorites such as shooter Jin Jong-oh and nation’s archers played a vital role in keeping the country placed high in the standings amid fierce competition.
And the faster-than-expected accomplishment of winning 10 golds has only heightened the anticipation for more good news since the taekwondo competition starting Thursday with the team looking to repeat the gold medal sweep of four years ago. Eighteen-year-old rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae is ready to perform in front of the world, also from Thursday. She has emerged as a medal hopeful after claiming the nation’s first bronze at the World Cup Series this year. And there may be more surprises to come.
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