Taiwan’s archers, considered as legitimate medal contenders entering the Olympics, will leave Beijing disappointed at failing to significantly advance in any tournament draw.
With the men’s and women’s teams finishing seventh and ninth respectively and none of the three women able to reach the round of 16 in the individual event on Tuesday, it was left to the men to save the day yesterday.
But Wang Cheng-pang and Kuo Cheng-wei were both eliminated in the second round of the 64-man tournament by impressive opponents, Kuo falling to South Korea’s Park Kyung-mo 111-110 and Wang losing to Japan’s Moriya Ryuichi 114-109.
Scores of 110 or above are considered excellent.
“When the opponent is shooting that well, what else can you do,” Wang said.
Taiwan’s third archer, Chen Szu-yuan never lived up to the consistency he showed four years ago in Athens, barely squeaking by Malaysian Muhammad Marbawi 107-106 with three 10s in his final three arrows.
But he was then trounced by Tsyrempilov Baljinima of Russia 109-101 in the second round.
Taiwan’s coach, Lin Chen-hsian said that the team had never gained momentum at the Games.
“There were high expectations for the team ahead of the games. Sometimes if you don’t receive so much attention, it can be easier [for the athletes] to put on a normal performance,” he said.
The Taiwanese were not the only fancied archers to disappoint as Athens gold medalist Marco Galiazzo of Italy was knocked out by Britain’s Alan Wills.
Meanwhile, South Korean Lee Chang-hwan set an Olympic record to advance to the last 16.
Lee’s team-mates, Im Dong-hyun and Park Kyung-mo, also sailed through to the next round.
Beating Galiazzo clearly gave the 27-year-old Wills a huge confidence boost.
“Marco is one of the best in the world,” he told reporters. “I beat him so I feel like I can beat anybody. So bring it on!”
Fellow Britons Simon Terry and Laurence Godfrey went out in the first round.
“I’m just trying to do the boys proud,” Wills said. “They had a rough day today so I’m just trying to do my best to help Britain.”
South Korean Lee, who won the gold in the team event on Monday, shot 117 to break compatriot Oh Kyo-moon’s record for 12 arrows (115) set at the Atlanta Games.
“I knew my score was high but I didn’t realize it was the new Olympic record,” he said. “I didn’t even know what the Olympic record was.”
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