[Anchor]
South Korea has secured its first gold medal in archery. Kim Jongho wrote a new chapter in history by winning the men's individual compound event, which uses mechanical bows. He hit an astonishing 12 consecutive 10-point shots, becoming the first South Korean male compound archer to claim the individual title.
Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the story.
[Reporter]
In the individual semifinals, Kim Jongho convincingly avenged a painful defeat he suffered against the Indian archer in the team semifinals the previous day (September 30), winning by a four-point margin.
He then showcased truly legendary archery skills in the final against his Taiwanese opponent.
Unlike the recurve format, the compound individual event does not use a set system. Instead, archers shoot a total of 15 arrows across five ends of three arrows each, competing for the highest cumulative score. After taking a one-point lead in the first end, Kim unleashed an unbelievable streak of 10-point shots starting from his very first arrow in the second end.
[He is unstoppable! Kim Jongho!]
Riding the momentum without a single mistake while hitting dead center of the target, he sealed his victory with his final arrow hitting the X-ring right in the middle, achieving 12 straight 10s.
[It is in! A 10! The gold medal is secured with a 10!]
Kim, a team gold medalist at the 2018 Jakarta Games, captured his first-ever individual gold medal and the fourth Asian Games medal of his career.
[Kim Jongho / National Compound Archery Team: (As I shot the final arrow,) my heart felt like it was about to jump out of my mouth from the intense pounding. I told myself, I have made it this far, so I must hold steady and shoot until the very end. Mom, Dad, I finally won one. I will bring it home for you to see.]
Kim is the first South Korean archer to win gold in the men's individual compound event, which is being held for the third time at the Asian Games.
In the women's individual event, 14-year-old youngest team member Kang Yeonseo defeated senior teammate Park Jungyoon to claim her second bronze medal, following her success in the team event.
[Kang Yeonseo / National Compound Archery Team: I won a bronze medal!]
While the compound event concluded on a high note with a gold medal, the powerhouse recurve national team will begin their quest to sweep all five gold medals starting tomorrow.
(Photo courtesy of: Choi Daewoong | Video Editing: Jeon Mingyu | Design: Yang Kitae | Video Source: Kim Jongho's SNS)
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