Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-08-11 20:37:03

(BEIJING, August 11) — Park Sung-hyun of the Republic of Korea is the archer to beat in the Women’s Individual event at this year’s Games.

Park is trying to become the first archer to successfully defend an Individual Olympic title since the head-to-head format was introduced in 1992. Seeded No. 1, Park tied the 720-arrow Olympic record in the Individual Ranking Round on Saturday.

Park played a key role in the ROK’s 224-215 win over China in the Women’s Team event on Sunday. On her final arrow, Park hit a 10, just as she did in the Women’s Team event final, to clinch gold in Athens.

Teammate Yun Ok-hee, the No. 2 seed, poses the strongest threat to Park. Yun won a silver medal at the most recent World Cup in Boe, France and at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha. She lost to Park in both events.

ROK third seeded Joo Hyun-jung who won Team gold with Park and Yun on Sunday is also in contention. Despite being new to the international scene, Joo has potential to join her countrymen in a medal sweep.

Other top contenders include World No. 6, China’s Zhang Juanjuan who helped the Chinese Women’s team take silver in Sunday’s competition. Khatuna Narimandize of Georgia, who placed fourth in the Ranking Round and Athens fourth-place finisher Yuan Shushi of Chinese Taipei are also expected to challenge the podium.

Competition gets underway at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12 at the Olympic Green Archery Field with the Women’s Individual 1/32 and 1/16 Eliminations. Medals will be awarded on Thursday, August 14.