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South Korean Archers Sweep Asiad Team Titles
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The South Korean "Super" archers swept all four gold medals in the Doha Asian Games by winning two team titles to their credit on Wednesday.

The golden day began with their women's tremendous win against Qatar, 210-136, and their biggest challenge didn't come until the final when they faced China after the fierce battle in the Athens Olympic Games, where South Korea won by one point.

The trio of Park Sung Hyun, Yun Mi Jin and Yun Ok Hee, repeated their feat by outshooting China in the 24-arrow final by 215-209, setting an Asian Games record.

"Before we came here we had lots of pressure, now it was over and I am really happy," said Park, the individual winner here on Monday. "I feel so much happier winning the team gold with my teammates than I won the individual."

The Chinese team, led by veteran Zhang Juanjuan, together with Zhao Ling and Qian Jialing, had to settle for the silver.

"It's really a pity," said Tian Yuling, coach of the Chinese women's team. "We didn't do well in the starting series."

However, debutant Qian, top World Cup women archer this year, was encouraged by the result.

"We did it well today," she said. "We put a lot more energy into our competition than before, but I handled the wind not so well which was a reason of our loss.

"However, I gained much confidence from the match. I am sure one day we will topple them (the South Koreans)."

Chinese Taipei took the bronze medal after overcoming DPR Korea by 209-206.

The South Korean men archers followed suit as they won another replay of the Athens Olympics and claimed the Asiad team title for the seventh straight time.

The team, composed of Im Dong Hyun, the individual gold medalist, veteran Park Kyung Mo and Jang Yong Ho, beat Chinese Taipei in the final by 216-211.

"This is my first Asian Games team gold medal, so I am very happy," said Im, a 20-year-old veteran, who was the member of the Athens Olympic winning team.

Comparing to the team in the Busan Asiad 2002, Im said that they were not really stronger this time. "But at the 2002 Asian Games it was maybe messy because of the individual result," he said. "But this time we prepared well and so we were able to perform well.

"For my personal goal, I am going to gain a lot of experience, and aim for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing."

Although they finished again with a silver medal, Lin Cheng Hsien, coach of the Chinese Taipei team, was satisfied with the result.

"Overall my team performed very well in the final," he said. "The silver medal is a good encouragement for us to do better in the 2008 Olympic Games."

India overcame Malaysia 211-207 to grab the men's bronze medal.

(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2006)

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