Thursday, August 14, 2008

Zhang takes gold to break ROK's 24-year reign

Zhang takes gold to break ROK's 24-year reign
(L-R) Yun, Zhang and Park on the podium. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

(Beijing, August 14)-- Zhang Juanjuan of China broke the Republic of Korea's 24-year stranglehold on the Women's Individual event, claiming the gold medal with the last arrow of a riveting final against park sung hyun at the Olympic Green Archery on Thursday.

Zhang takes gold to break ROK's 24-year reign
Zhang bites the gold medal. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

To win the Olympic title, No. 27 seed Zhang had to beat all of the top three seeded ROK women, including Park, the Individual gold medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Zhang won the final 110-109.

Zhang takes gold to break ROK's 24-year reign
Zhang Juanjuan shoots in the match. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

In the semifinal, Zhang took out the No. 1 ranked archer in the world, Yun Ok-hee, 115-109. Zhang's score equaled the Olympic record Park set earlier in the day. In the quarterfinal, she beat Joo Hyung-jung 106-101.

Yun Ok-hee went on to win the bronze medal against Kwon Un- sil of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 109-106.

Khatuna Lorig of the United States was fifth, Hayakawa Nami of Japan sixth, Joo seventh and Mariana Avitia of Mexico eighth.

Photos: Chinese Zhang wins Women's Archery gold
Zhang Juanjuan competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Photos: Chinese Zhang wins Women's Archery gold
Zhang Juanjuan competes. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Photos: Chinese Zhang wins Women's Archery gold
Zhang Juanjuan waves to spectators after winning the final. (Photo credit:

Xinhua)

Photos: Chinese Zhang wins Women's Archery gold
Zhang Juan Juan competes. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

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