14 June 2012 - KIM Soo-Nyung’s visit to Madrid

KIM Soo-Nyung’s visit to Madrid Lausanne – 14 June 2012  The four-time Olympic champion from Korea KIM Soo-Nyung visited the Spanish national archery team as part of her work at the World Archery Federation.   KIM Soo-Nyung travelled to Madrid on 1-3 June 2012 together with the World Archery Finance Manager Caroline MURAT. The Spanish national team coach JO Hyung-Mok came to pick them up at the airport. JO Hyung-Mok is Korean and has been the coach of the Spanish team since 2007.   As soon as they arrived they headed to the training field in order to watch a training session of the Spanish national team. The national team trains at their association field because their training centre located at the Consejo Superior de Deportes (Superior Council of Sports, CSD) is still under construction.   JO Hyung-Mok said that archery learning methods differ in Korea and in Spain. When he arrived in Spain for the first time, it was very difficult for him to teach, but he has since developed teaching methods. For example, archers have weaker drawing skills than in Korea and he tried to understand why. The Spanish team spends time every day on weight training and specific strength training.        Spain has qualified two archers for the upcoming Olympic Games. The man will be Elias CUESTA. The woman Iria GRANDAL, who just qualified for London by placing first at the European Continental Qualification Tournament in Amsterdam. The Spanish athletes will take part in the Final Qualification Tournament to be held in late June in conjunction with the Ogden World Cup, and will try to qualify a full team to London.   KIM Soo-Nyung and Caroline MURAT then visited the Madrid Centre, which is located in the Madrid Sports Park and was built thanks to the efforts of Vicente MARTINEZ (President of the Archery Federation of Madrid and World Archery Target Committee Chairman) with strong economic support from three administrations: the CSD, the City of Madrid, and the Community of Madrid. The cost of making these archery centre facilities a reality ended in 2.2 million Euros. In 2006 the Easton Foundation (James L. EASTON was World Archery President from 1989 to 2005) supported more than 30 technical and education activities over five years.   The coach of the Madrid Centre Ms LEE Mi-Jung is from Korea as well. She is the wife of JO Hyung-Mok and she coaches the junior archers. During the Madrid Centre's visit there were three little girls shooting from a short distance. Will they become the best archers in the world?   KIM Soo-Nyung will go back to Spain from 4-7 July 2012 to report about the World University Championships in Cordoba.   KIM Soo-Nyung World Archery Communication