South Korea's archery ace duo Kim Woo-jin (32, Cheongju City Hall) and Lim Si-hyun (21, Korea National Sport University) showcased their fantastic synergy on the 2nd (Korean time) to clinch the gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Throughout the matches, which were not always smooth sailing on their way to the final, the two supported each other as pillars of strength.
The biggest crisis came during the quarterfinals against Taiwan. Leading 4-0 after the first two sets, Kim Woo-jin and Lim Si-hyun were caught up by their opponents in the 3rd and 4th sets, resulting in a tie and pushing the match into a shoot-off. In this critical moment, Lim Si-hyun stepped up as the problem solver. Lim first shot a perfect 10, showing his strong nerves, and Kim followed with a 10 as well, securing the victory.
After the match, Lim Si-hyun said, "Because the medal was so desperately wanted, I thought the shoot-off couldn't be the end. So I shot with real determination, and hitting the 10 made me think, 'Wow! That's such a relief!'" and smiled.
Their teamwork shone again in the final against Germany. Although Lim Si-hyun's first arrow in the first set of the final scored an 8, he had the solid support of his reliable older teammate Kim Woo-jin behind him. Escaping the crisis with Kim's 10-point cover, the two soon each shot a 10 to finish the first set.
Germany also started the first set with an 8-point arrow, but their next three arrows were all 9 points. Lim Si-hyun, who had been as steady as ice in the women's team event, shot several 8s that day. Each time, Kim Woo-jin steadied the team by shooting 10s or 9s to prevent any wavering.
Kim Woo-jin said, "Lim Si-hyun must have felt a lot of pressure, but he did so well. Thanks to Lim today, we won the medal, and I am really grateful." Lim Si-hyun responded, "Oppa (older brother) must have felt even more pressure, but he showed such great performance despite that. I feel like I have more goals ahead now."
When the two were selected to compete in the mixed event through the ranking round, Kim Woo-jin jokingly said, "Usually, you have to adjust your rhythm to the younger player. I'll listen well to Lim Si-hyun and do my best." When asked if Kim Woo-jin really listened well, Lim Si-hyun laughed heartily and replied, "I think I was the one who listened well to (Kim Woo-jin)." Kim Woo-jin laughed and said, "I should have listened well, but (in the end) I made Lim Si-hyun listen well to me."
The advice from head coach Park Sung-soo of the men's national team, who coached from behind, also played a crucial role. Korea lost the first set in both the quarterfinals and semifinals that day. Coach Park reassured the players by saying, "It's okay. Let's think that we lose one set anyway and aim to go all the way to the last set." Kim Woo-jin recalled, "Encouraged by those words, we got back on track from the second set, won all the remaining sets, and made it to the final."
Having already won gold medals in the men's and women's team events, the two players now aim for a triple crown by also competing in the men's and women's individual events. So far, the only archer to achieve a triple crown at the Olympics is An San (Gwangju Bank) at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
With all six Korean players, including Kim Woo-jin and Lim Si-hyun, advancing to the round of 16 in the individual events, a 'family battle' could unfold from the semifinals. Kim Woo-jin said, "The individual event is a competition of good sportsmanship," and added, "If I keep my mind empty and my heart passionate during the matches, I think good results will come."
By winning his fourth gold medal in his career that day, Kim Woo-jin joined the ranks of Korean athletes with the most Olympic gold medals across both Summer and Winter Games, alongside Kim Soo-nyung (archery), Jin Jong-oh (shooting), and Jeon I-kyung (short track). He joked with reporters, "Jin Jong-oh and Kim Soo-nyung have retired, but I have no plans to retire yet."
Lim Si-hyun said, "I think the person who enjoys the game the most is the one who wins the medal," and added, "I will enjoy it."
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