Korean compound teams twice best Denmark

Korean compound archers returned to the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit to take gold medals in the women’s team and mixed team events in Shanghai, after taking a back seat season while the nation prioritised Olympic events.

“I’m so pleased with today’s performance. This is a good start to the season and we have the world championships this year where we want to defend the title,” said Kim Jongho, who shot with So Chaewon in a shoot-off in the pairs final.

“I can’t believe we beat Denmark,” So added, referring to both finals. “They are one of the strongest compound teams in the world. During the matches, we were just focused on our shooting and nothing else. Being so concentrated helps you win.”

So, Choi Bomin and Song Yun Soo were two points up on the Danes going into the fifth end.

An eight from Korea put the two teams level with three arrows each left to shoot but when Erika Anear dropped a seven in the closing moments of the match, it was over. Korea took the match, 228-226.

The mixed team final went to a shoot-off after two arrows from the Danish pair – Sarah Sonnichsen and Stephan Hansen – were upgraded to a 10 in the final end. Both teams shot perfect 40s in the fourth.

“Chaewon shot a 10 then Hansen shot a nine – and I was relieved as I knew I only needed a 10 to win it,” explained Kim, who calmly drilled a 10 to leave Sonnichsen shooting a useless final arrow.

“We are still improving. Today’s golds are proof of how well we are doing and a display of our ability,” added So.

Korea began to compete in compound competition when the discipline was introduced to the Asian Games in 2014. It won the mixed team and individual compound women’s world titles in 2015.

The first stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 16 to 21 May in Shanghai, China.

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