Aichi-Nagoya:Central Japan The South Korean men's recurve archery team, consisting of Lee Woo-seok, Kim Je-deok, and Kim Woo-jin, secured the gold medal at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday. This victory marks their fourth major international title together, having previously won the 2023 and 2025 world championships and the 2024 Olympic gold medal.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the trio's success is attributed to their focus on the process rather than the results. Lee Woo-seok emphasized this approach after their 5-1 victory over India, stating that maintaining focus on their method helps prevent poor performance due to pressure.
The team members, despite their diverse personalities, share a strong chemistry. Kim Woo-jin, the eldest at 34, brings experience and humor, while 22-year-old Kim Je-deok is known for his spirited celebrations. Lee, aged 29, balances the group with his serious demeanor. Previously, Lee and Kim Je-deok had won the 2023 Asian Games team gold medal with a different teammate, Oh Jin-hyek.
Kim Woo-jin expressed satisfaction with winning his second Asian Games gold, 16 years after his first in 2010. He humorously noted the long gap between his Asiad victories and expressed a desire to earn more gold medals with his current teammates.
Kim Je-deok, who first gained attention with a mixed team gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, expressed gratitude for being part of the team. He credited his teammates as inspirations and expressed pride in their accomplishments.
In challenging windy conditions at the Okazaki range, Kim Je-deok's prior experience in the mixed team event provided valuable insights, aiding the teams performance. Kim Woo-jin acknowledged Je-deok's contribution to their victory, describing the venue as one of the toughest he had encountered.
Despite India's strong performance in compound archery, South Korea remains a dominant force in recurve. Lee dismissed concerns about India's rise, stating the team's focus remains on their own performance. Kim Woo-jin echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of continuous improvement despite the narrowing gap with international competitors.