When it rains, it pours - and archery is no exception to that rule. Despite weather conditions that at times reached the level of torrential downpour, the team of U.S. Olympians Brady Ellison (Chula Vista, Calif.) and Vic Wunderle (Charlotte, N.C.) as well as USA Archery Resident Athlete Jake Kaminski (Chula Vista, Calif.) set out to win and never looked back, claiming the team gold medal at the Korea Business Archery Tournament Championship. The team continued their winning streak that started earlier this month at Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Ogden, Utah. The team set a new national record for the round scoring a 226 to the opposing team's 221, besting four Korean professional teams in their medal quest.
Serving as the Korean Professional Teams Championships, the event was host to 12 South Korean men's teams and 15 women's teams; the United States fielded the only non-Korean team at the event. Normally a Korean team selection event, this is the first time the event has been open to international participation.
"Our team members are very happy," said KiSik Lee, USA Archery National Coach. "We competed successfully against four Korean professional teams, and I am very pleased with our second team gold this month."
The tournament began with a FITA round, in which Ellison shot a 1,351 to qualify 4th, winning the bronze medal for his 70-meter score, a 340, and the gold medal at 50 meters with a 344. Also representing the United States in the men's group were Kaminski qualifying 24th with a 1,323; USA Archery resident athlete Jacob Wukie (Chula Vista, CA) in 45th, shooting a 1,299; and Wunderle ranking 46th with a 1,296. Korean Jang Yong Ho finished first for the FITA round, shooting a 1,360, which led the 53-man recurve field.
The women's recurve division was led by Chung Ji Min (KOR), who shot a strong 1,378 to earn the top spot. Scores on the women's side were high, with the top seven shooting 1,360 or better, and a 1,350 earning one archer 23rd. For Team USA, USA Archery resident athlete Heather Koehl (Chula Vista, CA) posted the top score of the group, shooting a 1,308 to finish 59th. Four-time Olympian Khatuna Lorig (Chula Vista, CA) finished 61st with a 1,301; and USA Archery resident athlete Kristin Braun (Chula Vista, CA) qualifying 62nd, by posting a 1,246. There were 62 competitors in the women's recurve category.
Matches from the competition were aired live on national television in Korea, including Team USA's team gold win. Video coverage can be viewed here.
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