Archery, Judo, Fencing, Diving... Going for Gold Again Today [Olympics]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Jonggil Lee, Hyunju Park] On the fourth day of the Tokyo Olympics, the Korean delegation continues their golden race. Following the great achievement of the women's archery team on the 25th, the men's archers will challenge for the gold medal on the 26th. The team consists of Oh Jin-hyek (Hyundai Steel), Kim Woo-jin (Cheongju City Hall), and Kim Je-deok (Gyeongbuk Ilgo High School).

On this day, they will attempt to defend their title in the men's team archery event at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field in Tokyo, Japan. The men's archery team has won five Olympic gold medals from the 1988 Seoul Games through the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. This time, there are two experienced veterans: Oh Jin-hyek, who won the individual gold medal at the 2012 London Games, and Kim Woo-jin, who secured gold in the team event at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Leading Kim Je-deok, who already won gold in the mixed team event, they aim to bring the third gold medal to the Korean delegation. Since May, the three athletes have focused their training on the team event. They experienced constantly changing conditions at the seaside of Jaeun Island, Sinan County, Jeollanam-do. They even conducted simulation training on a set identical to the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field, preparing to compete with a comfortable mindset as if at home.

In judo, An Chang-rim will seek a thrilling revenge in the men's 73kg category. He is determined to proudly raise the Taegeukgi flag at the Budokan, overcoming the bitter memory of being eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Notably, An Chang-rim is a third-generation Korean-Japanese born and raised in Japan, making this Olympics especially meaningful for him.

Kim Ji-yeon (33), the 2012 London Olympic fencing gold medalist, is aiming to reclaim the top spot after nine years. She faced disappointment after being eliminated in the round of 16 in the sabre individual event at the Rio Olympics. Having considered retirement due to injury, the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19 has made this effectively her last Olympic appearance. Yoon Ji-soo (28) and Choi Soo-yeon (31), who won silver and bronze respectively in the team event at the World Championships, will also compete in the same event.

Seo Seung-jae (24) and Chae Yu-jung (26), who have already secured their spot in the quarterfinals, will compete for first place in their mixed doubles badminton group against Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong (China). In previous matches, they easily defeated the Netherlands and Egypt, securing early qualification for the quarterfinals.

Woo Ha-ram (23), who made history by reaching the Olympic final for the first time in Korean diving at the Rio Olympics, is also aiming for a medal. Woo Ha-ram will partner with Kim Young-nam (25) to compete in the men's synchronized 10m platform final. Ham Eun-ji (24) will challenge for a medal in the women's 55kg weightlifting category.