Kang Cho-Hyun shoots away to Sydney Olympics

Her bright, girlish smile seems far-fetched from the intensely competitive world of sports. But nerves of steel and prowess are revealed as she holds her breath and repeatedly, but carefully pulls the trigger, targeting the bullseye, one after another. This is Kang Cho-Hyun, the 18 year-old X-generation sharpshooter.

May 22, 2000

It has been only three months since she made it to the women¡¯s national shooting team as an air rifle shooter, headed for the Sydney Olympics. Kang¡¯s sports career took on fire in the Sydney pre-Olympics in March, her first international competition. Scoring 394 points, above the median score for the Olympics (MQS), she placed 10th. The result was a delightful surprise for Kang who had used her own money to take part in the event with no particular purpose but to get a taste of international competition. Suddenly the spotlight was on Kang who surpassed experienced shooters to win a slot on the national team.

July 8

Kang won the gold medal at the World Cup held at Wolf Creek rifle range, where the 1996 Atlanta Olympics took place. After setting a world record of 399 points, she added 100.6 points in her final round, totaling 499.6 points. 157cm tall, weighing 45kg, Kang seems particularly petite holding the rifle which is more than a meter long. But once out on the shooting range, she perfectly targets the bullseye, maintaining an incredible concentration level, unperturbed by pressure. Coach Kim Il-Hwan gushes that Kang picks up technical skills very quickly, ¡°knowing two or three, when only taught one thing.¡±

August 12

At the Taeneung Training Center, Kang Cho-Hyun puts in her best efforts in her last minute training for Sydney. Practicing under real competition conditions, only one bullet, out of 40, misses the 10 point target spot. She smiles at her score, 399 points; just one point shy of a perfect score. Devoting an hour each day to personal training, Kang¡¯s stamina, which was her biggest weakness, has improved. With only a month to go before the Olympics, Kang¡¯s training has become more intense. When she first arrived at Taeneung, Kang began with 40 bullets a day, slowly increasing the number to 160, starting next week.

September 16

One day before the games open, Kang steps into the shooting range at Cecil Park, right outside Sydney. Finally, her opportunity to strike gold. Her idol, Yeo Kap-Soon, successfully competed for a gold medal in air rifle shooting, in Barcelona 1992. To achieve her dream, now all Kang has to do is show them what she's been doing everyday.

Kim Jong-Seok kjs0123@donga.com