South Korean archer Joo Hyun-Jung lost to China's Zhang Juanjuan 101-106 at the Olympic quarterfinals of women's individual elimination in Beijing on Thursday.

The defeat was the first ever at the Olympic archery field in Beijing for both men's and women's archers from South Korea.

Joo, the third finisher in women's ranking round, shot two 6s and lost the edge after just half bunch of the 12 arrows. It seemed she just couldn't adjust herself to the rain which was going on with the match.

In spite of shooting a 10-9-9 to close the match, Joo just was not able to pull back, losing to Zhang 101-106.

"I got fully prepared for rainy and windy days, so I'm not afraid fo the weather conditions at all," said Zhang, 27, a twice Olympian and a two-time Olympic silver medallist in women's team.

"The rain can possibly lead to a surprise result in archery competition, but I think Zhang is capable of beating Joo," said Zhang's coach Tian Yuliing.

Zhang will play semifinal against Yun Ok-Hee, another South Korean, who just outscored Khatuna Lorig from the United States 111-105.

Yun, a world record holder, shot down a near perfect 119 points out of a full 120 at Antalya World Cup in Turkey this year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)