The South Korean trio of Park Sung-Hyun, Yun Ok-Hee and Joo Hyun-Jung is setting their sights on a clean sweep of the women's individual on Thursday after wrapping up the women's team title.
The South Koreans just crushed China on Sunday in women's team, lifting the title for the successive sixth time. The top three finishers in the ranking round are ready to cruise into the podium of women's individual.
Park is trying to become the first archer to successfully defend an individual Olympic title since a new head-to-head format was introduced in 1992.
Park is the No. 1 seed and ranked No. 2 in the world. Yun tied the 12- arrow Olympic record when she shot a 114 on Tuesday, in the first day of eliminations.
Yun poses the greatest threat to her teammate Park for the gold medal. Yun is the No. 2 seed and ranked No. 1 in the world. Joo, at 26 years old, shot extremely well in her first Olympics. She is the No. 3 seed and ranked No. 11 in the world.
Possible challengers for the Korean archers are Zhang Juanjuan from China, a silver medallist in the team event on Sunday, who will have the home crowd behind her.
Berengere Schuh from France played a leading role in France's bronze medal match win over Britain in the team event. Having shot back-to-back 112s in the 1/32 and 1/16 eliminations, Schuh is expected to challenge the Koreans for a medal.
Khatuna Lorig from United States is a four-time Olympian and team bronze medallist from Barcelona 1992 and is back in the Olympics after an eight-year absence.
(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008 )