Paris Olympics: S. Korea surpasses expectations early in pistol, fencing and archery

Initially, the Korean Sports Association set a target for the South Korean team to secure five gold medals and achieve an overall ranking of 15th in the Paris Olympic Games. This goal was reiterated both 100 days and 30 days before the Games commenced, despite some criticism that the targets might be too modest. The association defended the goals as "realistic," noting that in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, South Korea had won six gold medals.

However, South Korea's athletes surpassed expectations swiftly. Within just three days of the opening of the Paris Olympics, the South Korean team had already earned five gold medals, reaching their initial target ahead of schedule. This performance briefly propelled South Korea to the top spot in the overall medal standings.

In shooting, Oh Ye-jin surprised many by winning gold in the women's 10m air pistol event. Furthermore, 17-year-old Ban Hyo-jin, the youngest member of the South Korean team, clinched gold in the 10m air rifle event, marking the youngest-ever gold medal win for South Korea in a Summer Olympics. South Korean fencing ace Oh Sang-wook also contributed to the medal haul, securing the country's first gold in the men's sabre individual competition.

Encouragingly, South Korea has yet to showcase its full potential in shooting, fencing, and archery. Korean shooting head coach Jang Gap-seok expressed confidence, saying, "The events I had targeted for gold medals have not even begun yet. We will continue to compete for medals." Expected gold medal opportunities include Kim Ye-ji and Yang Ji-in in the women’s 25-meter pistol, and Song Jong-ho in the men’s 25-meter rapid fire pistol. In fencing, potential gold medals are anticipated in the men’s sabre team event featuring Oh Sang-wook, and the women’s sabre team led by Yoon Ji-soo.

In archery, South Korea aims to win all three remaining gold medals: in the men’s and women’s individual events and the mixed team competition. With their exceptional skill, South Korean archers are preparing to make history by securing gold in every event (five gold medals).

Heon-Jae Lee uni@donga.com