S. Korean archers head to Paris with modest medal target

South Korean archers departed for Paris on Tuesday with a modest medal target in mind. South Korea will send six archers: Kim Woo-jin, Kim Je-deok and Lee Woo-seok on the men's side, and Lim Si-hyeon, Jeon Hun-young and Nam Su-hyeon for the women's competition. They will be vying for medals in the men's and women's individual events, plus the mixed team event, which made its Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago. Members of the South Korean archery team for the Paris Olympics pose for photos at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before boarding their flight to France on July 16, 2024. (Yonhap) South Korea leads the all-time archery medal tables with 27 gold medals and 43 medals overall. The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee has said it hopes for about five gold medals, which would be the country's lowest total since 1976, and the archery team is expected to do the heavy lifting on that front. After winning four out of five archery gold medals in Tokyo, South Korea is taking aim at three gold medals this time, head coach Hong Seung-jin said. "Our athletes have been working extremely hard, and I think we should be able to accomplish our goal easily," Hong told reporters at Incheon International Airport. "With a bit of luck, we could surpass that goal." South Korean Olympic archers Kim Woo-jin, Lee Woo-seok and Kim Je-deok (L to R) prepare for their flight to Paris at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on July 16, 2024. (Yonhap) The Olympic archery competition first offered four gold medals -- in the individual and team events for men and women -- in 1988 in Seoul. South Korea pulled off a gold medal sweep in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. In 2021, South Korea fell one gold medal shy of a sweep of five titles, missing out on the men's individual event. While running the table may prove difficult in Paris, South Korea will look to extend its winning streak in the women's team event. South Korea has remained undefeated there since it was added to the program in 1988. All three women wil l be making their first Olympic appearance. At least Lim has some international experience, highlighted by her three gold medals at last year's Asian Games. Jeon and Nam have never been at any major international event. Their lack of experience has been a major source of concern, and fans' worries seemed justified when South Korea lost to China in the women's team finals at the first and second Archery World Cup of the season. However, Hong said all three female archers have been growing more confident by the day, and they should be able to defeat China if the showdown materializes in the final in Paris. Lim, the most experienced of the trio, said she understands the pressure will be on her to carry the team, but she isn't fazed by the situation. South Korean Olympic archers Jeon Hun-young, Lim Si-hyeon and Nam Su-hyeon (L to R) prepare for their flight to Paris at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on July 16, 2024. (Yonhap) "I had my taste of gold medals at the Asian Games, and I want to get more of the same," Lim said. "I am looking forward to having fun with my teammates. I will try to be the best version of myself at the Olympics." Jeon, the senior member of the team at 30, said she was not worried about her lack of experience. "There is a first time for everyone," she said. "I've been building up nicely since the World Cup. I will try to enjoy the Olympics and do my best to meet our target." Nam, 19, looked the part of a nervous teenager on her way to her first Olympics. She said training in front of a huge crowd at a football stadium -- a session designed to prepare the archers in a noisy and potentially hostile environment -- should help her in Paris. "When I come back, hopefully I will have a smile on my face," Nam said. Paris 2024 will be the third straight Olympics for Kim Woo-jin and the second straight for Kim Je-deok. Though Lee is making his Olympic debut, the 26-year-old is a veteran of two world titles and two Asian Games gold medals. Given their track record, the men's trio sounded more self-assured than their female teammates. "Honestly, if we can perform at our best, I think our biggest rivals will be ourselves," Kim Woo-jin said. "As long as we don't get too nervous and compete to the best of our abilities, then we should be able to post great results." Kim Je-deok, who grabbed two gold medals in Tokyo as a 17-year-old phenom, said he would love nothing more than a gold for everyone on the team. "We've all worked so hard to get here, and our biggest goal is to win the team gold medal, so that every one of us can bring home a medal," he said. "It's an honor to be competing at the Olympics. It's a dream come true." Lee also said he hoped all three archers will wear a medal around their necks in Paris. "I believe our hard work will pay off," he added. "Rather than getting caught up in results, I will put my faith in the process." Source: Yonhap News Agency