"Small Margins Decide Victory or Defeat" Archery National Team Welcome Dinner... Kim Woo-jin and Lim Si-hyun Receive 800 Million Won Rewards

Hyundai Motor Group and Korea Archery Association Welcome Dinner for Paris Team

Hyundai Motor Group and the Korea Archery Association held a welcome dinner for the 2024 Paris Olympic archery team on the 27th at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul. Our archery team swept all events, including the women's team event with 10 consecutive wins, the men's team event with 3 consecutive wins, the mixed team event with 2 consecutive wins, and gold medals in both men's and women's individual events.

The event was attended by about 300 people, including the national team players and coaches, Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group and President of the Korea Archery Association, support staff, reserve players, past medalists, archery members from nationwide city and provincial associations and affiliated federations, coaches of elementary, middle, high school, university, and corporate teams, and family members of the athletes. Also present were government and corporate executives such as Jang Mi-ran, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, Song Ho-sung, President of Kia, Lee Kyu-seok, President of Hyundai Mobis, and Seo Kang-hyun, President of Hyundai Steel, who are sponsors of the association.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun is attending the '2024 Paris Olympic Team Encouragement Event' held at a hotel in Seoul on the 22nd, greeting archers Lee Woo-seok, Lim Si-hyun (right), and Nam Soo-hyun. Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In his welcoming speech, Chairman Chung Eui-sun said, "The historic records of Korean archery that will be remembered for generations were not achieved overnight," adding, "The difference that determined victory or defeat was a very small one created through relentless practice, effort, and training that breaks the mold." He continued, "This difference is the result of the affection and support for archery from previous association chairmen, the challenges taken by countless archery members to improve performance, and long-term research and efforts toward the scientific advancement of training."

He also said, "Not only the number of gold medals but also the process to achieve those results?a fair system that anyone can accept, and a dignified attitude that considers others even while competing?brought happiness and praise to many. If we protect and inherit the proud traditions we have built, the great history of Korean archery will continue."

Chairman Chung encouraged and rewarded the athletes, coaches, support staff, and association officials. The rewards for individual events were set at 300 million KRW for gold, 200 million KRW for silver, and 150 million KRW for bronze. For team events, 200 million KRW was awarded for gold medals. Additionally, extra incentives were given to motivate the athletes, and encouragement money was provided even to those who did not win individual medals.

Three-time champion Kim Woo-jin and Lim Si-hyun each received 800 million KRW. Nam Soo-hyun, who won the individual silver medal, received 500 million KRW, and Lee Woo-seok, who won the bronze medal, received 450 million KRW. Jeon Hun-young and Kim Je-deok each received 330 million KRW. They also received vehicles as prizes.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun met and encouraged national team archers Nam Su-hyun (first from the left), Jeon Hun-young (second from the right), and Lim Si-hyun (first from the right) immediately after the women's individual archery awards ceremony at the Paris competition on the 3rd (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News, provided by the Korea Archery Association]

The team presented Chairman Chung with a commemorative gift. It was a framed target from the women's archery team's gold medal shoot-off, symbolizing the sweep of all five archery events. Jeon Hun-young said, "We will continue to work consistently and challenge ourselves so that Korean archery can keep shining on the world stage."

Kim Woo-jin said, "I am grateful that Chairman Chung has always quietly supported and cared for archery like a tall uncle," adding, "We will not be satisfied and will strive to create history and legends going forward."

On one side of the venue, various contents themed on consistency were displayed. These included profiles and achievements of the athletes, Olympic gold medals, recurve bows and arrows used in actual competitions, and shoot-off targets. Personal training shooting robots and vision-based heart rate measurement devices were also exhibited.

Hyundai Motor Group has supported Korean archery for 40 years since 1985, contributing to its growth. Chairman Chung Eui-sun has focused on enhancing the foundation built by his predecessor to establish a sustainable system for the long term rather than short-term achievements. In this process, he proposed new perspectives and innovative strategies while communicating with archery members to build trust.

Hyundai Motor Group stated, "As the chairman company of the Korea Archery Association, we will continue to support future innovations and ensure that Korean archery is loved by the public and plays an important role on the global stage."