Three world records already broken at Asian Para Games

Two world records already broken at Asian Para Games Guangzhou (CHN) – 13 December 2010   The first Asian Para Games began in Guangzhou, China with a beautiful and moving Opening Ceremony, held in the 80,000-seater Aoti Stadium. The stadium was built specially for the Asian Games, held in late November, and the Para Games. The archery competition takes place from 12-19 December.   The facilities for archery are excellent with permanent paved pathways, two pavilions with rooms for athletes and officials and a huge, secure field in which some 60 targets fit easily and room to spare.   The Practice Day on 12 Sunday December was shortened to a Practice Morning because of the range being next to the stadium. The whole area, including the motorways and metro were in "lock down" from noon until after the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony. This was the case for the third time of the week, because on two previous days they rehearsed most of the Ceremony with local people providing the audience.   However, with good co-operation from archers and officials the Judges managed to complete much of the equipment inspection during the unofficial practice on Saturday afternoon 11 December.   World records fall on first day The Qualification (Ranking) round took place on Monday 13 December. Archers shot the FITA 70m round with some remarkably good scores. Many of the archers being new to the international scene, the good level of scores is a promising trend for the future.   On the very first day the Korean recurve women’s team broke the world record taking it from 1804 to now stand at 1811. Congratulations Korea!   The leading archers in the recurve women Standing division were as expected—China (GAO Fangxia, 641) and Korea (LEE Hwa Sook 607)—but the leading woman from Mongolia (Oyun Erdene BUYANJARGAL 591) was certainly shooting well as was Razieh SHIR MOHOMMADI from Iran on 581. GAO’s score completely demolished the old world record of 614, a superb achievement!   In compound women Open China leads the way with ZENG Dongdi on 653 and WANG Yanhonh close behind with 645.   The host country was not so fortunate in compound men Open with Korea taking the top three places LEE Ouk Soo 682, GO Sung Kil 679 and KWEON Hyun Ju with 677.   In the afternoon the rest of the men’s divisions were shot, and a world record was tied up. In the recurve men Standing division, China’s DONG Zhi shot 649, equalling the record set by the Frenchman Alexandre LASVENES early this year.   Just one point short of equalling the world record for the recurve men W1/W2, TSENG Lung Hui (TPE) shot well to lead the division with 647 points, followed by Korea’s JUNG Young Joo with 638 and CHENG Changjie of China with 625. The full results can be found on the competition's website at www.gzapg2010.ch.   Carole HICKS World Archery Communication