"This Weekend, Geum Will Come Down~"

Korea to Compete for Gold Medals in Shooting, Archery, Fencing, Taekwondo, and More on 24-25

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Our team aims to break into the top 10 overall at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We believe it is possible only if we win at least seven gold medals. The performance of the frontrunners is crucial. Events where we still maintain strength are concentrated this weekend (24th-25th). These are shooting, archery, fencing, taekwondo, and judo.

The first national anthem may be heard at the shooting range. The women's 10m air rifle qualification starts at 8:30 AM, with the final at 10:45 AM. Leading medal contenders are Mary Tucker (USA) and Elavenil Valarivan (India). The youngest member of the shooting team, Kwon Eun-ji (Uljin County Office), also has a chance. In the Olympic selection trials last April, she set two Korean records including an unofficial world record. The last Korean to win a medal in this event was Kang Cho-hyun (silver medal) at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The "God of Shooting," Jin Jong-oh (Seoul Metropolitan Government), will compete in the men's 10m air pistol. The qualification is at 1 PM, and the final at 3:30 PM. Although this is not his main event, the 50m pistol, he is still highly competitive. He won gold and silver medals at the 2012 London Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics, respectively.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The first victory news might come from the archery field. The mixed team event, newly added this tournament, will decide its medalists on the 24th. The round of 16 starts at 9:30 AM, with the final at 4:45 PM. Each team consists of one male and one female archer. Participants can be selected strategically. The team will assign the spot to the player with the best score in the ranking round held this morning and afternoon (23rd). Candidates include Oh Jin-hyek (Hyundai Steel), Kim Woo-jin (Cheongju City Hall), Kim Je-deok (Gyeongbuk Ilgo High School; all men), Kang Chae-young (Mobis), Jang Min-hee (Incheon National University), and An San (Gwangju Women's University; all women). The next morning at 9 AM, the women's team will attempt their ninth consecutive team victory. If successful, they will share the Olympic record for the most consecutive team wins with the USA, who achieved it in the mixed 4x400m relay.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The men's sabre fencing team can also join the golden wave. On the 24th, Oh Sang-wook (Seongnam City Hall), Kim Jung-hwan, and Koo Bon-gil (both from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation) will compete in the individual event. Oh Sang-wook has been world number one for two years, surpassing Aaron Szilagyi (Hungary), the two-time Olympic champion. He has fully recovered from the COVID-19 impact in March and is in top condition. The next day, Park Sang-young (S& C Story), who won gold in the men's ?p?e individual event at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, will attempt to defend his title.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The taekwondo and judo mats may also be dyed gold. On the 24th, Jang Jun in the men's 58kg taekwondo and Shim Jae-young in the women's 49kg taekwondo (both from Korea National Sport University) will dazzle opponents with their spectacular kicks. Kim Won-jin (Yongin University) in the men's 60kg judo will seek to overcome his early elimination at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He is on an upswing, having won his first major tournament at the Doha Masters this January. All finals will be held around 9:30 PM.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The next day, Lee Dae-hoon (Daejeon City Hall) in the men's 68kg taekwondo will aim for a grand slam. He has already won the World Championships, Asian Games, and Asian Championships but has yet to claim an Olympic gold medal. An Ba-ul (Namyangju City Hall) in the men's 66kg judo will also shake off the disappointment of his silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. With a stronger seoi nage (shoulder throw), he is determined to hang the Taegeukgi flag at the heart of Japanese judo, the Budokan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.