Beijing International Archery Tournament is a minnow compared with events like world championship and serial World Cup, but if labeled as the Beijing Olympic workout, it glitters into the eyes of top archers worldwide.
The International Archery Tournament is set to show up on Aug. 20-26 at the exact venue of the Beijing Olympic Games within the theme Park.
Viewing the starting list, big names cover all over the four Olympic categories — men’s individual, women’s individual, man’s team and women’s team. No top archer likes to miss the opportunity to get close touch with everything related to Olympic Games – the venue, the field, the target to aim at and even the rivals.
Powerhouses took no reserve in dispatching contingents. All-mighty South Korea sends a squad composed of most experienced and honored archers. In men’s squad, South Korea has IM Dong Hyun,Lee Chang Hwan and Kim Yeon Chul.
IM Dong Hyun and Lee Chang Hwan are the man’s team champions at the Athens Games. IM Dong Hyun is also a gold medallist at the Doha Asian Games last year.
In women’s squad, South Korea fields Park Sung Hyun, Lee Tuk Young and Choi Eun Young, with Park sounding up as a titlist at women’s individual at last Olympics.
Marco Galiazzo, men’s individual gold winner at Athens Games, spearheads Italy’s team. Australia has Tim Cuddihy — bronze medallist at the Athens Games.
Uplifting Chinese team picks up two out of the three silver takers of women’s team at the Athens Olympics — He Ying and Zhang Juanjuan.
Chinese Taipei spares no effort to present its best here. Men’ s team silver medallists Liu Ming-Huang, Wang Cheng-Pang and women’s team bronze medallists Wu Hui-Ju, Yuan Shuchi are all available at the event.
Didier Mieville, spokesman of International Archery Federation, expects high from the tournament and from the archers with the Beijing Olympics just clicking one-year countdown eleven days ago.
“Most of the top-ranked archers gathered here to sense the Olympic field, and to sense the Olympic service and competition,” said Mieville. “They are trying to get familiar with all those they need to handle a year later at the Olympics.”
“I hope they can do well here in the next few days and even do better next year at the Olympics.”
(Source: en.beijing2008.cn)
