Legally Blind Archer Helps Set World Record in London!
- Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:18am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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LONDON (The Blaze/AP) — A legally blind archer has helped South Korea set the first world records of the Olympics.
Im Dong-hyun broke the 72-arrow mark with 699 points in men’s archery.
He also took part in the team shoot Friday, teaming with Kim Bub-min and Oh Jin-hyek. They broke the world record, scoring 2,087 points with 216 arrows.
You can watch him in action at the 2012 archery World Cup earlier this year where he set an individual world record:
The London Telegraph recently profiled him and his accomplishments:
The 26 year-old, who hails from Chungbuk, already has two Olympic gold medals to his name, having won the team event in Athens – aged only 18 – and Beijing four years ago.
It is a staggering feat when one considers that he has 20/200 vision in his left eye, meaning he needs to be 10 times closer to see an object than someone with perfect 20/20 vision.
His right eye, meanwhile, is not much better – he has 20/100 vision in that one – and yet he has no problem in hitting a 122cm target from 70 metres.
His emergence as one of the best archers in the world is remarkable, considering his distinct disadvantage – though Im is prickly when people take pity on him.
[..]
In addition to his Olympic medals he has a cabinet packed with other trophies, including four world titles and another four Asian Games golds.
But the attention seems unwelcome.
“I don’t have a stick, I don’t have a blind dog,” he told the Telegraph. “It‘s unpleasant when people say I’m disabled. All this interest in my sight is not welcome.”
Still, he explains what it’s like to shoot.
“With my vision, when I look at the target, it looks as if different color paints have been dropped in water,” he said.
“The boundaries are not that clear and the lines between the colors are very blurred.”
Read the rest of the profile over at the Telegraph.
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Ducky 1
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:03pmThose interested in archery look for a new optical bow sight to be in production by the end of this year!!
Report Post »giopa2
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:38pmHe has Ambliopia, a lazy left eye where the brain shuts down the vision from that eye, and he probably has to aim slightly left to compensate. It also diminishes his depth perception and by much much practice he also makes some mental adjustments. With his extreme nearsightedness he probably visualises the target in his mind and aligns his body with that visualisation.
I know because my vision got to be as bad as his especially after cataracts developed. I‘m surprised he doesn’t wear the coke-bottle glasses I used to wear.
Bravo Bravissimo Dong-Hyun!
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:09pmThis is amazing! I have 20/100 vision & it’s getting worse. I understand what he is saying about the “water”. Your body adapts to challenges. When something happens to you, there are two choices: accept & excel, or lay down & feel sorry for yourself. God bless hm!
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 3:20pmI dont think I know what legally blind means.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:17pmMr.Fitnah: 20/200 vision is classified as legally blind. I am 20/100. I see some shapes, some colors, no depth perception, faces up close, etc…. I have equipment which helps me with everyday activities (like reading & typing), occupational therapy (so I don’t break all of my dishes or fall down all the time – the ground is not where it appears to be) and a dog who now knows not to get under my feet. This man’s vision is twice as bad as mine. I hope this helps.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 1:25pmPretty cool, but William Tell‘s son would NOT be diggin’ this dude.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 5:18pmwisehiney: :)
Report Post »freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 1:00pmPotentially this young mans disability has lead to his super ability. So is he truly disabled or super abled in archery?
Report Post »Capn Spank
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 12:01pmEvery time I think the world may have evolved past it’s petty prejudices, I see a story like this and some of the small minded comments that come with it. If a blind/visually impaired person accomplishes something, it either must not be that hard after all, or they’re obviously faking/exaagerating their condition. It can never be that they’ve learned to adapt, or worked hard to find a way to achieve their goals,…nope, couldn’t be that. REAL visually impaired people just sit in the corner with a stick and a dog right?….Don’t worry, I’m sure in time, we’ll all be rounded up and put in camps for our own protection, we being helpless and all…then you won’t have to worry about having your preconceptions disabused.
Report Post »FatFreedom
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:56amInspiring.
I admire that Im Dong-hyun does not want the extra attention or pity. He is a good role model for millions.
Report Post »Dodsfall
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:27amSomeone should tell the guy he’s wearing a really silly vest.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:28pmAll the archers wear that style of vest for several reasons- one of which is to insure the string doesn’t hook any buttons.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:15amPretty cool!
Report Post »BrotherWill
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:09amAll this shows me is that it must not be that hard to get into Olympic archery. Apparently anyone can do it.
Report Post »john vincent
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:18amhey bro
are u that callous that u cant recognize true talent??? or is this just a tad prejudicial?
Maybe u missed the place where it said ‘world record??’
I have good eyes, and cant shoot like that- this is a lifetime of learning and practice.
C’mon say u were wrong, get some respect back.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 11:14amBrotherWill=dumbass
Report Post »john vincent
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 10:06amVery, very, cool
Report Post »Listen_then_think
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:23amHe can‘t or doesn’t wear glasses or contacts? I have 20/100 vision and my sister has 20/200. Not hard to put on glasses.
Report Post »Capn Spank
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:44amNot all conditions can be corrected with glasses. Here’s a thought, if he COULD just put on glasses, don’t you think he would?
Report Post »Capn Spank
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:13amI myself am a legally blind shooter, and I can tell you it’s more about control and consistency than actually seeing the target in any sort of detail. Glad to see someone else out there making a dent in the stereotypes and preconceptions.
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:40amIt would seem the criteria for being designated as legally blind are every bit as stringent as they are for qualifying for disability payments.
Report Post »Capn Spank
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 9:11amWhat?….Seeing the world with 1/10th the clarity of most folks isn’t blind enough for you?…..
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:24amAWESOME!
GOD BLESS, young man. Thank you for the life-lesson. I admire your attitude, courage, determination.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:32amAmen indeed.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:36amI agree .. and he may just have an “advantage” over the others .. note that he said he can’t see the lines etc .. perhaps that makes him more concentrated on the CENTER … truly inspirational in his attitude.
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