Yun Ok-Hee of the Republic of Korea takes aim. (Photo credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
(BEIJING, August 10) -- The Republic of Korea women set a world and Olympic record on the way to winning the gold medal, continuing their domination of women's archery and making history by winning their sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Olympic Green Archery Field on Sunday, August 10.
Zhang Juanjuan of China takes aim. (Photo credit: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The ROK led China by two points at the conclusion of the first end and then continued to increase their lead throughout the remainder of the final.
Only needing a two to win the gold medal with her final shot, Park Sung-Hyun (KOR) nailed the 10 ring, a flashback to her final arrow against China which clinched the gold medal in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
The ROK claimed their place in history with a final score of 224-215. Heavy rain after the semifinals had earlier forced a 30-minute delay before the medal matches could take place.
Earlier in the day the ROK set a 24-arrow world record when Park Sung-Hyun, Yun Ok-Hee and Joo Hyun-Jung combined for a score of 231 out of a possible 240 points against Italy in the quarterfinals.
The ROK score of 231 also established the Olympic record as the 24-arrow format is being featured for the first time in the Olympic Games.
The bronze medal match between France and Great Britain was a tense affair with the two teams staying within a few points of each other for much of the match.
Great Britain did not get off to a good start in the match with Charlotte Burgess hitting just a six on her first arrow.
The French team needed seven points to win with one arrow remaining and Sophie Dodemont withstood the pressure to score an eight, leading France to the bronze medal with a final score of 203-201.
Earlier, Great Britain and China competed in the first semifinal match. The key turning point of the contest came in the third end when Naomi Folkard shot just a six, allowing China to capitalize and eventually win the match 208-202.
In the second semifinal, France faced the ROK in a match conducted in heavy rain and wind. The combination of the inclement weather and the pressure of facing the No. 1 seeded team proved too much for the French who shot a four and three threes in their final eight arrows eventually losing 213-184.
China got the day off to a great start winning their quarterfinal against India 211-206.
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