On a Sunday afternoon at a field next to the Anyang stream in south-west Seoul, two rows of rookie archers stood at attention.
The first row of 10 students took aim at the target board, a very modest 3m away, stretched their bows and released their arrows at the command of instructor Cho Kyung-seok.
The students in the back row mimicked the same movements with their bare hands. There was simply not enough space for everyone to shoot at the same time at Mokdong Archery Club.
Two months after South Korean archers won seven medals at the Paris Olympic Games, shooting fever is still running high.
The country is the undisputed world champion in archery, having bagged a record-high 50 Olympic medals - 32 gold, 10 silver and eight bronze in the sport - since 1984.
Every time the Games roll around, many South Koreans become inspired to pick up the bow and arrow and take aim at becoming the next big shooting star, thronging cafes and clubs dedicated to the sport.
Demand for classes at Mokdong Archery Club, the largest outdoor range in Seoul, has nearly tripled in the last two months according to Mr Kim Jung, who has managed the club for 23 years.
“This has always been the case after each Olympic tournament,” said Mr Kim, who declined to speak further as he was tired of the surge in public inquiries and did not want any more publicity.
ARCHERY’S APPEAL
At the Archery Centre in Seoul’s Sinsa neighbourhood, the staff say they have seen a near 50 per cent increase in footfall since South Korea’s recent Olympic triumph.
At the centre was Ms Jung In-hee, 25, trying out archery for the first time with her friend, Ms Hong Su-yeon, 28.
“My younger sibling came to this cafe to try out archery after the Olympics and told me it was a lot of fun, so I wanted to have a go at it myself,” said Ms Jung.
この記事は The Straits Times の October 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の October 05, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Krupnova brings positivity to Wondersticks and S'pore
While it has been only two weeks since Eliska Krupnova joined Singapore Floorball Premier League (SFL) side Wondersticks, the 2020 world's best female floorball player has lit up the league in more ways than one.
HER UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Belarusian Goutseva back to complete her artistic swimming vision for Singapore
Villa now in the big leagues, thanks to their manager
On The Ball | There are doubts about the new Champions League format, its extended group stage and \"Swiss model\" fixture list. Try telling that to anyone connected with Aston Villa, though.
REDS' WIN 'SPECIAL' FOR SLOT
Manager says it will let wife see a happy man, but warns of tough stretch ahead
Respectful Emery wary of United's winning mentality
Unai Emery praised the under-pressure Erik ten Hag on Oct 4 as the Aston Villa boss labelled Manchester United \"the best team in the world\" despite their dismal form.
ANGE FACES A 'CURIOUS' TEST BY HURZELER
Brighton boss, who asked 'many questions' on a day at Spurs in 2023, has 'inside info'
Pogba's 'nightmare is over' as ban cut to 18 months
French international footballer Paul Pogba said on Oct 4 that his \"nightmare is over\" after a four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months.
Blues need time to compete with City, Arsenal
Chelsea are improving but are not yet ready to compete with top English Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca said on Oct 4.
Billie Jean King Cup to align with Davis Cup format
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will transition to an eight-team event in 2025, from the current 12, to mirror the existing Davis Cup format, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Oct 4.
Money talks to grow US rugby reportedly back on
Rugby union's governing body World Rugby has revived talks to raise funds for growing the sport in the United States, three people familiar with the matter said.