W omen's pistol shooting became an unexpected highlight of the first week of the Paris Olympics after contestants from South Korea went viral. Oh Ye-jin and Kim Yeji, athletes representing South Korea, both broke the existing world record for the women's metre pistol shooting, earning gold and silver respectively.
The two athletes went viral online after images of their record-breaking shots were posted to X formerly Twitter , leading many to discuss the cool and calm way they won their medals. An old video of Kim Yeji, who was the first of the two to break the world record in Paris, received particular attention after she made eye contact with the camera after raising her shooting visor.
At the Paris Olympics, a present from her 5-year-old daughter, a small elephant stuffed animal, was attached to Kim's waistband while she aimed the record-breaking shot. Gold medalist Oh Ye-jin's gun also drew attention from viewers, as it was almost entirely pink, a custom-made pistol that stood out from the other competitors.
Despite both the athletes shooting for the same medals and sharing a room in the Olympic Village, there is no rivalry between the two women, who have said they are very close. Oh Ye-jin won the gold medal with a score of India's Manu Bhaker won the bronze medal, with a score of So, when she won the gold medal, I was extra happy," silver medalist Kim told the Associated Press. At the Olympics, shooting medals are awarded via an elimination knockout system, where the last three medals go to the last three athletes participating.
Oh Ye-jin and Kim Yeji were the last two athletes standing in the final round. Both women will be competing again on Monday for the mixed-team air pistol, only this time they'll be working with each other rather than against.
