“Years of training just for a bee to f**k it all up.” With 54 points each, the opening set of Je-deok’s match came to a draw.
The third set would prove to be pivotal, however, as South Korea rallied to win the second set. South Korea would secure a berth in the final if Je-deok and company were able to execute.
Just two arrows remained as Je-deok stepped up with the score at 36-53. Before the Olympian could fire his weapon, a bee started buzzing around him.
Even when the athlete waved the bee away, it landed on his right palm again, and he continued. Despite all the obstacles, Je-deok was able to shoot the arrow and get a perfect score.
With 10 more points, his colleague Kim Woo-jin completed the task and guaranteed South Korea’s place in the final. The Korean archers went on to defeat France and win their third straight Olympic gold medal.
At a later news conference, reporters wanted to know how Je-deok felt about the bee incident. “A bee showed up as I got close to the shooting line,” the competitor said.
