Archery Equipment Company Paibix to Sponsor Through LA Olympics
Israeli Madaye (36), an archer who drew attention by scoring 1 point while competing against Kim Woo-jin at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will receive sponsorship from a Korean company. This happened after his story became known: he is from Chad, one of Africa's poorest countries, and learned archery by self-studying through watching videos of Korean archers on YouTube without having proper equipment.
On the 8th, Yonhap News reported that Korean archery equipment company Pivix decided to provide Madaye with various equipment and supplies necessary for archery training and competition, including bows and chest guards. A Pivix official stated that they sent various archery supplies for Madaye that day and plan to continuously support him until the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.
This sponsorship was made possible after Pivix CEO Baek Jong-dae, who watched the archery competition at the Paris Olympics in person, heard Madaye’s story of training in harsh conditions. CEO Baek contacted Madaye first to express his intention to support him and met Madaye in Paris to sign the sponsorship contract.
Previously, Madaye met Kim Woo-jin in the round of 64 of the men's individual archery event at the Paris Olympics and scored 1 point. Netizens watching the match expressed surprise at Madaye scoring 1 point in an official competition. It is rare for world-class athletes competing in the Olympics to score only 1 point. Additionally, it caught attention that unlike other players, he did not wear equipment such as a chest guard or finger protection.
Later, it was revealed that Madaye is from Chad, one of Africa’s poorest countries, and learned archery by self-studying through watching videos of Korean archers on YouTube in a harsh environment. In a post-match interview, he said, "I competed against a player like Kim Woo-jin, and I am proud of that." After his story became known, Korean people poured support on his social media.
A Pivix official said, "CEO Baek is also a former archer, and he decided to sponsor Madaye because it was admirable that he made it to the Olympics on his own. We plan to help him focus more on training and continue communicating regarding efforts to expand the archery base in Chad."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
