Koreans Kim, Kang win last individual stage golds of season

Kim Woojin and Kang Chae Young won the recurve men’s and women’s individual gold medals at the fourth stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup, picking up the last medals available at the last qualifying stop of the season ahead of the Final in Rome.

“I was bit disappointed because I made into two finals [already this season] but finished with silver medal,” said Woojin, talking about his runner-up finishes in Shanghai and Salt Lake City. “I was concentrated, more prepared and arrived in good form in Berlin. I’m pleased to win.”

Kang added: “I was thinking that this was the last chance to make it to the world championships, so I tried to do what was needed and this competition went well. So now I’m happy!”

The recurve men's individual gold medal match in Berlin featured two Kims, world number one Woojin and Jongho, the rookie of the 2017 Korean team.

Woojin took the first set 29 to 28; Jongho the second by the same score.

The veteran of the pair, still only 25 years old despite having two world crowns under his belt (2011 and 2015), finished with two more 29s to take the match and his first individual gold medal of the season, 6-2.

Woojin, paired with Choi Misun, also took took mixed team gold against Japan.

Kang Chae Young’s last big podium on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit came in the team event back in 2015, shortly after her triple-gold debut in Shanghai at the first stage of the season that year.

In Berlin, she seeded six and then upset second seed Deepika Kumari and teammate Chang Hye Jin to make the gold medal match against Mexican archer Alejandra Valencia.

In a match in which her opponent looked comfortable, Kang cruised to victory, 7-1.

“I haven't been shooting great lately, so l wasn't happy,” admitted Kang. “I built more confidence in myself at this tournament. I realised that I needed more aggression in my shooting. Now I feel like I can do better in Mexico.”

The official confirmation of the Korean team line-up is expected after Berlin.

The fourth stage of the 2017 Hyundai Archery World Cup runs 8 to 13 August in Berlin, Germany.