By Honorary Reporter Kristina Dolgilevica from U.K.

Photos: Korean Archery Association

The delayed 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics started on July 23, with archery events ending on July 31.

A combined 128 athletes will compete for five gold medals in the men's and women's team and individual competitions and the mixed team. Each team event has three athletes. The mixed team event consists of one male and one female competitor in the latest addition to the competition. 

This year,  Team Korea sat out the World Archery Championships due to the pandemic. This tournament typically acts as a test to help the archers raise their competitive game, boost their confidence, showcase their skills on the field and check out the competition prior to the Olympics.

Korean archery training is incredibly exhaustive, and unlike in many other countries, the multistage selection process is rigorous and extremely competitive. Normally, competitions held throughout the year help elevate Korean archers to another level. 

In response to the pandemic, the Korean Archery Association built an indoor simulation facility of the Tokyo shooting range, helping its archers feel the atmosphere and buzz. The colors and sounds of cheering crowds, multilingual commentator announcements and other background noise help put the archers into the thick of it. They eventually must shoot outdoors because the Olympic shooting distance is 70 m.

The weather plays a big part, as archers need to think on the spot, adapt to the environment and come through in their allotted time. The purpose of indoor practice is to eliminate the elements like the wind or the scorching sun, and allow the archer to shoot a perfect shot with perfect technique under perfect conditions. This plays a major part in gaining confidence and competence in skill and efficiency. The archers then move outdoors much stronger, with greater faith in their ability. Korean archers have a reputation for being the most mentally tough competitors in their sport, and their training methods emphasize performance under pressure.

Team Korea

Though the men's events have non-Korean contenders like Brady Ellison of the U.S. going for individual gold, the Korean women's team is going for its ninth consecutive title. There is no doubt that both the women's team and individual matches will be the most anticipated of all archery events in Tokyo. Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) is another team tipped to be a strong contender against the Korean ladies.

To improve the spectator experience, every archer will be wired, with their heart rate transmitted live on the monitor. Thus the audience can see who is truly cool under pressure and has a poker face. All matches will be at Yumenoshima Park, with live coverage available in most countries.

From left to right are An San, Kang Chae-young, Jang Min-hee, Kim Woo-jin, Oh Jin-hyek and Kim Je-deok.

The following is the schedule for the most anticipated matches in Olympic archery in Korean Standard Time.

July 24
Mixed team bronze: 16:25
Mixed team gold: 16:45

July 25
Women's team bronze: 16:15
Women's team gold: 16:40

July 26
Men's team bronze: 16:15
Men's team gold: 16:40

July 30
Women's individual bronze: 16:30
Women's individual gold: 16:45

July 31
Men's individual bronze: 16:30
Men's individual gold: 16:45

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.