1. Overview
Ku Bon-chan (구본찬Korean; born January 31, 1993) is a prominent South Korean recurve archer. He is widely recognized for his exceptional achievements, particularly becoming the first male archer from South Korea to win two gold medals at a single Olympic Games. His career highlights include securing both the individual and team gold medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as two team gold medals at the 2015 World Archery Championships. This article details his personal background, educational journey, athletic career, and significant contributions to the sport of archery.
2. Life
Ku Bon-chan's personal life and formative years laid the groundwork for his distinguished athletic career.
2.1. Birth and Background
Ku Bon-chan was born on January 31, 1993, in Gyeongju, South Korea. He belongs to the Neungseong Gu clan (능성 구씨Korean), a prominent Korean lineage. Physically, he stands at 71 in (181 cm) tall and weighs 185 lb (84 kg).
2.2. Education
His academic journey progressed through various institutions, providing him with a foundation alongside his athletic development. He graduated from Yonghwang Elementary School, followed by Silla Middle School in Gyeongbuk Province. For his high school education, he attended Gyeongbuk Physical Education High School. He later pursued higher education at Andong National University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education.
2.3. Affiliation
Currently, Ku Bon-chan is affiliated with the Hyundai Steel Archery Team (현대제철 양궁단Korean), a leading sports club in South Korea. During his university years, he was associated with Andong National University's archery program.
3. Athletic Career
Ku Bon-chan's athletic career is marked by consistent performances and significant medal wins at both regional and international levels, culminating in his historic Olympic double gold.
3.1. International Debut and Early Career
Ku Bon-chan made his international debut at the Archery World Cup in 2014, following a period of participation in numerous Asian competitions. His early career demonstrated his potential, setting the stage for his later successes on the global stage.
3.2. Major Tournament Achievements
Ku Bon-chan has accumulated an impressive array of medals from major international archery tournaments, showcasing his consistent excellence.
3.2.1. 2015 World Archery Championships
At the 2015 World Archery Championships, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ku Bon-chan demonstrated his prowess in team events. He secured two gold medals: one in the men's team recurve event and another in the recurve mixed team event. He also competed in the individual recurve event at this championship.
3.2.2. 2016 Summer Olympics
The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, marked the pinnacle of Ku Bon-chan's career, where he achieved historic double gold medals.
He represented South Korea in both the men's team archery event and the men's individual archery event. In the team event, Ku, alongside his teammates Lee Seung-yun and Kim Woo-jin, won the gold medal. During the gold medal match against the United States, Ku Bon-chan notably shot six consecutive perfect tens across three sets, a testament to his precision under pressure. This victory was also significant as it marked the first time a South Korean archery team had defeated a United States archery team at the Olympics.
Following his team success, Ku Bon-chan went on to compete in the men's individual archery event. He advanced to the final, where he faced and defeated French archer Jean-Charles Valladont, securing his second Olympic gold medal. This achievement made him the first male archer from South Korea to win two gold medals at a single Olympic Games.
3.2.3. Other Major Tournaments
Beyond his Olympic and World Championship triumphs, Ku Bon-chan has achieved significant results in various other prestigious international competitions:
| Competition | Year | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Games | 2014 Incheon | Team | Bronze |
| Asian Archery Championships | 2013 Taipei | Team | Gold |
| Asian Archery Championships | 2013 Taipei | Mixed Team | Silver |
| World Cup Final | 2016 Odense | Mixed Team | Gold |
| World Cup Final | 2016 Odense | Individual | Bronze |
| Summer Universiade | 2015 Gwangju | Team | Gold |
| Summer Universiade | 2015 Gwangju | Individual | Silver |
3.3. Post-Olympics Career
Following his historic performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Ku Bon-chan faced challenges in maintaining his position on the national team. In the 2017 national team selection trials, he finished in 10th place, failing to secure a spot. As of the current period, he has not been able to rejoin the national team for seven years since his Olympic victories in Rio.
4. Broadcast Appearances
Ku Bon-chan has made notable appearances in media outside of his athletic competitions. In 2016, he made a special appearance on the SBS comedy show People Looking for Laughter (웃음을 찾는 사람들Korean) in the segment titled "Burdensome Deal" (부담스런 거래Korean).
5. Legacy and Recognition
Ku Bon-chan's legacy in archery is primarily defined by his groundbreaking achievement at the 2016 Rio Olympics. By winning both the individual and team gold medals, he became the first male archer in South Korean history to achieve a double gold at the Olympic Games. This feat cemented his place as a significant figure in South Korean sports history and an inspiration within the global archery community. His precise shooting, particularly the six consecutive perfect tens during the Olympic team final, showcased his exceptional skill and composure under immense pressure, contributing to South Korea's dominant reputation in the sport.