South Korea claim men's team archery title at Rio Games

South Korean archers once again showed their overwhelming dominance at the Rio Olympics Games as they outclassed a consistent American team 6-0 in the final at Sambodromo here on Saturday.

Led by the 24-year-old Kim Woo-jin, who set the men's individual world record of 700 hits during the ranking round on Friday, the South Koreans ousted the Netherlands and Australia both in three straight sets en route to reach the final. They hit a total of 22 tens, 13 nines and only one eight throughout all the 36 arrows from the two matches.

Guided by South Korean coach Lee Ki-Sik, the United States were also very steady as they beat Indonesia 6-2 in the quarterfinal and eased past China 6-0 in the semifinal.

The machine-like South Koreans continued their solid form in the final, nailing six 10-score hits in a row in the first set before wrapping up the victory with only one eight and two nines from 18 arrows.

"I've been waiting for this moment for four years. We trusted each other, and it just happened," said Kim after the match.

Kim was upstaged by teammate Ku Bon-chan in the final as the latter drilled six consecutive tens to keep a perfect record.

It was a sweet revenge for South Korea who were upset by the United States in the semifinals at the London Olympics four year ago. And it was the second consecutive Olympic team silver for the Americans.

"That was a world-record performance that they put on. You not going to see three sets going that high probably ever again," said Brady Ellison of the United States. "We shot the best in that match and they shot the best in that match. Perfect is hard to beat."

"We did well, but South Korea just did so great. I´ve never seen the team shoot that good, ever," said Team USA's coach Lee Ki-Sik.

Australia beat China 6-2 in the bronze medal match, while the defending champions Italy lost to China 0-6 in the quarterfinals.
Source : XINHUA