Japan's Yamamoto to feature in GP

[ARCHERY] Athens Olympics silver medallist Hiroshi Yamamoto of Japan is among the big names participating in the Asian Grand Prix Archery first leg from February 2 to 5 at the Hua Mark Archery Range.

A total of 16 gold medals will be up for grabs in the annual competition that includes the men's individual 70m, the women's 70m and the team events.

Sanguan Kosawinta, president of National Archery Association of Thailand, said yesterday that 19 teams confirmed their participation. "It will be one of the biggest tournaments we have ever staged," Sanguan said.

"Yamamoto will be contesting in Thailand for the second time. Filipina Amalya Baz, the women's 70m individual compound gold-medallist in the SEA Games, and defending men's 70m individual compound champion Reza Zamaninejed of Iran will also be in the fray.

"Leading archers from Korea and China are participating in a selection trial for the World Championships in Beijing and are absent," he said.

The home side will be fielding 23 archers including 13 men. Wasana Kabmaichan and Sakon Inkaew will lead the Thai challenge in the men's and women's recurve on the opening day.

South Korea won the overall crown last year, while Thailand finished in fifth place after winning two medals, including one gold. The Bangkok meet will be the first of the three-leg Asian Grand Prix. The second leg will take place in Taiwan in June and the last leg in Iran in October. Archers gain points for their world rankings based on the performance in the grand prix.

Teerapot Taweewanabul

The Nation
Thu, February 1, 2007