South Korean Ki Bo-bae triumphed in a nerve-wracking single arrow shoot-off against Mexican Aida Roman to win the women’s individual archery gold medal at the London Games on Thursday.
Ki, who also won a team gold earlier in the week, continued South Korea’s remarkable dominance of Olympic archery, giving the country a 14th women’s gold medal out of a possible 15 since the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
It is unlikely any of those previous Korean gold medal winners were put under as much pressure as the 24-year-old Ki was on Thursday.
Photo: Reuters
With the scores tied after five sets, Ki and Roman had one extra arrow to decide the fate of the gold.
Top-ranked Ki brought gasps from the crowd when she leaked her shot outside the bulls-eye for an eight, leaving Roman with the task of finding a nine or a 10 to win.
The Mexican loosed her arrow to the target 70m away and could scarcely believe it when she too landed in the red rings for an eight. When officials confirmed Ki’s arrow was closer to the center of the target, the South Koreans erupted in celebration.
“Actually, I didn’t see Aida’s arrow because I was praying so hard,” Ki said, failing to stop her voice from cracking at a media conference.
Ki has struggled for consistency over the past 18 months and said her joy was tempered by her teammates, Lee Sung-jin and Choi Hyeon-ju, failing to win a medal.
“The main feeling is that I never thought I’d be this lucky. Last year at the world championships it was like I was starting archery all over again and I really felt sorry to my seniors,” she said. “Now I can stand proud in front of those Korean archers who came before me.”
Roman was disappointed to miss out on the gold, but proud that she and teammate Mariana Avitia, who won bronze, had given Mexico their first-ever medals in Olympic archery.
Avitia beat American Khatuna Lorig to win the bronze before the dramatic finale.
“The president of Mexico [Felipe Calderon] called me and he was very happy,” Roman said. “Of course he asked me about that eight, but he said all of Mexico was very happy.”
Roman and Avitia were placed in the unfortunate situation of having to face each other in the semi-final, but in the end they were just happy to be returning with medals after their tilt at the team title floundered.
Silver medalist Roman said shooting against her teammate had actually made her more relaxed.
“Uppermost in my mind was that we are a team, whether we compete in the team event or as individuals, that’s why we support each other,” Roman said. “It’s not a case of one of us being better than the other one ... sometimes it turns out better for you, sometimes it turns out worse.”
The 18-year-old Avitia said she finally understood what Olympians felt when they stepped onto the podium to have a medal hung around their necks.
“I used to watch on television medals being given out at the Games — Athens, Beijing — and I often wondered what those people were actually feeling,” she said. “Now I myself am experiencing that same feeling and it’s a great thrill.”
US President Donald Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, is poised to make her LPGA Tour debut after receiving a sponsor invitation on Tuesday to the Nov. 13 to 16 tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. “My dream has been to compete with the best in the world on the LPGA Tour,” Kai Trump said in a statement posted on the LPGA’s Web site. “This event will be an incredible experience,” she said. “I look forward [to] meeting and competing against so many of my heroes and mentors in golf as I make my LPGA Tour debut.” The 18-year-old high-school senior,
REACTION: Less than 24 hours after a 18-inning Game 3 loss, the Blue Jays’ win ensured that the best-of-seven series is to head back to Toronto for Game 6 tomorrow Vladimir Guerrero Jr on Tuesday blasted a two-run home run as the Toronto Blue Jays bounced back to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 and tie the MLB World Series at two games apiece. Less than 24 hours after a shattering 18-inning Game 3 loss, the Blue Jays climbed off the canvas to breathe new life into their hopes of a first MLB title in 32 years. Guerrero’s two-run blast off Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani and a superb pitching performance from ace Shane Bieber laid the foundations for a gutsy victory that silenced Dodger Stadium. “I’m always trying to compete
Jannik Sinner on Thursday eased past Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1 at the Paris Masters to set up a quarter-final clash with Ben Shelton, while reigning champion Alexander Zverev earned a straight-sets win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round. A maiden crown in the French capital would return Sinner to No. 1 in the world rankings after current incumbent Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Britain’s Cameron Norrie. The Italian four-time Grand Slam champion is yet to drop a set in the tournament as he hones in on what would be a fifth title of the
Jemimah Rodrigues on Thursday hit an unbeaten 127 as India pulled off a record chase of 339 against Australia to set up a Women’s World Cup final against South Africa. Rodrigues and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who hit 89, put on 167 runs for the third wicket as India won with nine balls and five wickets to spare at DY Patil Stadium, on the outskirts of Mumbai. The hosts finished on a total of 341-5 in reply to Australia’s impressive 338 and ensured there would be a new name on the 50-over trophy tomorrow. Amanjot Kaur hit the winning boundary to trigger wild celebrations
RSS