(Asiad) S. Korea potentially in for big day with competition nearing end

NAGOYA, Japan -- South Korea's archery and boxing teams are poised to have a successful day at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Friday, as the continental competition comes to a close in central Japan. The country will aim to sweep all three recurve archery events, with the men's, women's, and mixed team finals to be held at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Okazaki, located about 50 kilometers southeast of Nagoya.

The day will kick off with the semifinals, where South Korea's women's team, comprising Lee Yun-ji, Oh Ye-jin, and Kang Chae-young, will face off against Indonesia, while the men's team, featuring Kim Je-deok, Kim Woo-jin, and Lee Woo-seok, will take on Chinese Taipei. The mixed team semifinals will see Kang and Kim Je-deok contest against China.

In addition to archery, South Korea will also compete in men's boxing, hoping to win the country's first boxing gold medal in 12 years. Jang Dong-hwan will face Uzbekistan's Abdumalik Khalokov in the men's 60-kilogram gold medal bout, while Kim Min-seong will battle India's Ankush Panghal in the men's 80kg class at Nishio Gymnasium, situated around 40 kilometers south of Nagoya.

In judo, Kim Min-jong, who claimed a silver medal in the men's +100kg category at the 2024 Olympics, is looking to secure his first Asian Games gold on Friday, having previously settled for bronze three years ago. In the women's +78kg category, Lee Hyeon-ji has emerged as a potential medal contender after defeating the 2023 Asiad champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, Kim Ha-yun, during the national team trials.