Okazaki:The South Korean women's archery team faced an unexpected setback at the Asian Games, failing to secure the gold medal in the women's team recurve event for the first time since 1994. The team consisting of Kang Chae-young, Lee Yun-ji, and Oh Ye-jin claimed the silver medal after being defeated by India with a set score of 5-3 at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square, located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Nagoya.
According to Yonhap News Agency, both Lee and Oh, who were competing in their first Asian Games, expressed their determination to learn from this experience and improve in future competitions. Lee, 25, emphasized the value of participating in such a significant event and expressed her intent to build on the lessons learned. Oh, 23, regarded the competition as the beginning of her career and cherished the opportunity to collaborate with her teammates.
The match was closely contested, with both teams scoring 54 in the first set and 56 in the second. However, in the third set, South Korea faltered as each archer shot an 8 with their final arrows, while India scored 8-9-10, winning the set 55-51 and taking a 4-2 lead. The teams tied the fourth set at 54-54, a result influenced by a critical ruling on an arrow by India's Kirti, which was scored as a 9, securing India's victory at 5-3.
Reflecting on the match, Oh expressed disappointment but acknowledged the team's effort. She also noted the challenge posed by the wind, which affected their performance. Lee, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of preparation and maintaining focus under challenging conditions.
Despite the loss, the South Korean team remains hopeful for future competitions, with plans to refine their skills and strategies to ensure a stronger performance next time.