Refer Report

“The great records of Korean archery that will be remembered throughout history were not achieved overnight. The difference between victory and defeat was the result of constant practice and unconventional training.”

Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of the Korea Archery Association (and Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group), said this in his welcoming speech at the ‘2024 Paris Olympics Archery Team Welcome Dinner’ jointly hosted by Hyundai Motor Group and the Korea Archery Association at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjang-dong, Seoul on the 27th, saying, “Let’s boldly challenge ourselves toward a new future in the same way that Korean archery has achieved its own unique path to success.”

Chairman Jeong emphasized, “These small differences are the result of the love and support for archery from previous association presidents, the innovative challenges to improve the performance of numerous archers, and long-term research and efforts to scientifically develop training.”

He continued, “Korean archery has received praise and happiness from many people by competing with a fair system that everyone can agree on while also being considerate of others,” adding, “If we continue to carry on the proud traditions we have built, the great history of Korean archery will continue.”

The Korean national archery team won all the events (five gold medals) for the first time in the history of world archery at the Paris Olympics. The women’s team event set a record of ten consecutive wins starting from the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The men’s team event won three consecutive wins, and the mixed team event won two consecutive wins.

The welcoming dinner was attended by approximately 300 people, including national team players, national archery team coach Hong Seung-jin, coaches, support staff, standing army players, former medalists, archers from provincial and municipal associations and affiliated federations, elementary, middle, high school, university, and professional team coaches, family members of the players, and officials of the Archery Association. Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran and representatives of sponsors of the Korea Archery Association, including Hyundai Motor Company President Jang Jae-hoon, Kia President Song Ho-sung, Hyundai Mobis President Lee Kyu-seok, Hyundai Steel President Suh Kang-hyun, and Hyundai Motor Group President Kim Geol, also attended.

On this day, Chairman Jeong had dinner with the players, coaches, support staff, and Archery Association officials who wrote the ‘Korean Archery Perfect Gold Myth’ and encouraged them one by one. The Korea Archery Association gave the same amount of prize money as the previous Tokyo Olympics to the players who won medals.

Accordingly, triple crown winners Kim Woo-jin and Im Si-hyeon each received 800 million won, and Nam Su-hyeon (individual silver medalist) received 500 million won. Lee Woo-seok (individual bronze medalist) received 450 million won, and Jeon Hoon-young and Kim Je-deok each received 330 million won. Vehicles are also given as prizes.

In his thank-you speech as the representative of the team, Woojin Kim said, “It is thanks to Chairman Jeong Ui-seon’s passion and love for archery that Korean archery can be the best in the world,” and added, “I would like to thank him for silently supporting and loving us like the ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ of archery.”

On this day, the national archery team presented a framed copy of the women’s national archery team’s gold medal shoot-off target to Chairman Jeong as a token of appreciation for his support and consideration.

Reporter Kim Jae-hu hu@hankyung.com

Source: Korean