TOKYO – Even before the opening ceremony was held, the first Olympic record was recorded at the Tokyo Games.
South Korea’s An San set a new mark with 680 points in the qualifying round of the women’s archery event on Friday morning.
The former Olympic record of 673 points belonged to Ukrainian Lina Herasymenko since the Games in Atlanta in 1996.
Two other South Koreans, Jang Minhee (677) and Kang Chaeyoung (675), also surpassed the former Olympic record, with 677 and 675 points respectively, as did Mexican Alejandra Valencia (674).
Kang Chaeyoung has held the world record with 692 points since June 2019.
Canadian Stephanie Barrett finished in 46th place with a total of 630 points.
On the men’s side, South Korean Kim Je Deok had the best score in the qualifying round, with 688 points. Canadian Crispin Duenas finished 16th with 665 points.
Barrett and Duenas will return to action on Tuesday, July 27 in the first round of playoffs. They will face, respectively, the Turkish Yasemine Angagoz, and the Moldovan Dan Olaru.
The women’s part of the event was held on a humid day, when the mercury rose above the 30 Celsius barrier. Svetlana Gomboeva, from the Russian Olympic Committee team, also fainted and had to be treated by medical personnel.
In addition, unfavorable weather forecasts prompted those responsible for the rowing competition to move the events that were on the program on Monday to Sunday.
According to these officials, rain, strong winds and strong gusts could make conditions impassable at the Sea Forest Canal in Tokyo Bay.
