South Korea, China win archery team events

Source: China Daily | 09-16-2008 13:51

South Korea and China notched up a win each in the two archery team finals on the last competition day at the Olympic Green Monday.

The three Korean women had the worst possible start with four low scores on the first end, including a score of 1. The Chinese, by contrast, were far more consistent, hitting the bull's eye four times with their first six arrows.

The 21-point gap after the first end proved too much to reel in for the Koreans.

Although the Koreans' accuracy improved in the next 18 arrows, the Chinese left nothing to chance to convincingly win 205-177.

The Czech Republic won bronze in the event.

"I am very excited because I exceeded my expectations. The South Korean archers are our good friends," said Xiao Yanhong, the pilot archer in Team China. "Every time we meet, we exchange gifts and we will do the same this time."

The score of 205 registered by Fu Hongzhi, Gao Fangxia and Xiao was a new Paralympic record.

The two Asian archery powers met again in the final of the men's team event, which was a much closer tussle.

China got off to a poor start and had to chase down the Koreans with painstaking patience.

The Koreans slipped a little after the third end to lead by just 1 but came back to win 209-206.

The bronze medal was awarded to Italy. The host topped the final medal tally with two gold, three silver and two bronze medals, while Britain and South Korea were close behind.

In other action, Mongolia's Baatarjav Dambadondog won his country's first Paralympic medal by claiming gold in the men's individual recurve-standing category.

Editor:Xiong Qu