On July 29, the team of Lim Si-hyeon, Nam Su-hyeon, and Jeon Hun-young clinched victory over China in a nail-biting final, winning with a set score of 5-4. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
PARIS, Jul. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean women’s archery team has etched their names in Olympic history, securing their 10th consecutive gold medal in the team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Their success is attributed in part to the remarkable composure of the Korean archers, often referred to as their “hearts of steel.”
On July 29, the team of Lim Si-hyeon, Nam Su-hyeon, and Jeon Hun-young clinched victory over China in a nail-biting final, winning with a set score of 5-4.
This triumph extends an unbroken streak that began with the introduction of the team event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Jeon Hun-young, the team’s senior member at 30, played a pivotal role in the victory. She consistently hit the mark, scoring perfect 10s in the first set and maintaining high scores throughout the match, including a crucial 10 in the shoot-off that sealed the gold.
What sets these archers apart is their ability to maintain remarkably low heart rates under intense pressure. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
What sets these archers apart is their ability to maintain remarkably low heart rates under intense pressure. While the average resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), elite archers often maintain rates close to resting levels even in high-stakes situations.
During the final, Jeon’s heart rate fluctuated between 70 and 80 bpm, rarely exceeding 100 bpm. In contrast, her Chinese counterpart, An Qixuan, saw her heart rate climb to 108 bpm during critical moments.
This physiological advantage is not mere coincidence. A study by researchers at Nanjing University in China found a consistent correlation between lower pre-shot heart rates and higher scores among archers.
Recognizing the importance of this factor, the Korea Archery Association, in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, developed a camera-based heart rate monitoring system.
Implemented in early 2021, this technology has allowed the team to tailor training regimens to individual archers, focusing on maintaining composure under pressure.
The team’s preparation went beyond traditional archery practice. They conducted noise adaptation training in crowded soccer stadiums and simulated Olympic conditions at their training center in Jincheon, complete with recorded announcements in English and French and simulated crowd cheers.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
