Kazakhstan slay Korean dream team in shoot-off

Kazakhstan climbed its first ever international archery podium and secured its first world gold medal by defeating Korea in a shoot-off at the first stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai, China. Korea, represented, by Olympic Champion archers Oh Jin Hyek, Kim Woojin and Im Dong Hyun were beaten by three archers ranked 43rd, 129th and 175th in the world.

“We still don’t believe we won the Archery World Cup stage,” said Oibek Saidiyev. “It feels great to win gold. We prepared for it. We did it.”

“The main goal of the match was not beating Korea but to shoot well for Kazakhstan, to show that we have good archers and let the rest of the world see us, too. Working on executing our techniques and making clean shots was our goal throughout the competition.”

Korea shot 57 points to Kazakhstan’s 50 to take the first set convincingly.

Heads turned when Kazakstan swiped the second series, 55-54, after London 2012 winner Oh Jin Hyek send down a pair of eights. But Korea looked safe when the third went the favourite’s way, 56-50, and needed just a draw in the fourth set to win gold.

Both teams shot 28 out of a possible 30 for their first three arrows.

Korea finished badly. Nines from each of Im and Kim left Oh needing something strong, but he sent down an eight.

Denis Gankin’s first shot for Kazakhstan was a 10. Sanzhar Mussayev’s second was an eight. Saidiyev needed a nine to send the match to a shoot-off and drilled a beautiful 10. The Korean trio was not in control anymore – and the recurve men’s gold medal match in Shanghai was into a tiebreaker.

Kazakhstan shot three nines in the shoot-off, which was enough to beat a Korean dream team that sent down another two eights in the pressure situation, 27-26.

“They shot well and put on a great performance. I would like to congratulate them on winning,” said Oh. 

“They showed their ability to compete against any nation. It’s good for Kazakhstan but it’s also a good opportunity for the Korean team, as we have to learn to be wary of all our opponents.”

Kazakhstan had never medalled at a Hyundai Archery World Cup or World Archery Championships before.

Japan beat France to the recurve men’s team bronze medal in Shanghai. The recurve women’s event was won by Russia ahead of the USA; China had bronze.

The first stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 16 to 21 May in Shanghai, China.