PARIS — In a nail-biting showdown, South Korean archer Kim Woo-jin captured gold in the men's individual archery event at the Paris Olympics, edging out American competitor Brady Ellison in a dramatic sudden-death shoot-off.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim and Ellison, both seasoned Olympians, were locked at 5-5 after five sets, each having scored perfect 30s in the final set. In the deciding shoot-off, Kim shot first, landing a 10; Ellison matched it, but Kim's arrow was closer to the center by approximately 5 millimeters, securing his victory and a monumental achievement. "I don't remember being this nervous in any match before," Kim recounted, acknowledging the intense pressure of the moment.
This victory not only secured Kim’s personal best but also led South Korea to a clean sweep of all five archery gold medals at the Paris Games, a first for any country in Olympic history. Previously, South Korea had dominated the archery field at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, though the mixed team event had not yet been introduced.
Kim’s triumph has significant historical implications beyond the immediate competition. With this gold, he becomes the most decorated South Korean Olympian in history, surpassing other legendary athletes in the nation. Additionally, he is the first male archer to secure three gold medals in a single Olympics, joining the ranks of renowned South Korean archer An San, who achieved the same feat in 2021.
Reflecting on his journey and the support system behind his success, Kim expressed gratitude towards his team: "This has been a total team effort, from the head of our national federation to team staff members, coaches, and my teammates. Everyone came together to write history."
Despite hints that this Olympics might be his last, Kim reassured fans and the archery community of his continued ambition. "I have no plans to retire. I will keep going," he affirmed, already setting his sights on future goals beyond the Tokyo 2020 horizon.