Zhang wins China's historical gold in women's recurve archery

China has captured gold in the women's individual recurve competition at the 18th Asian Games on Tuesday, the country's first ever win in this category since archery was included in the Asiad in 1978.

China's 23-year-old Zhang Xinyan defeated Indonesia's Diananda Choirunisa 7-3 after brushing aside South Korea's world no. 5 Kang Chae-young in the semifinal.

Women’s individual recurve gold medallist Zhang Xinyan of China poses with her medal at the 18th Asian Games, on August 25, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. [Photo: VCG]

The individual recurve matches use the set system, where each archer receives two set points for winning a set of three arrows. If two archers are tied in the set, they each get one point. The first archer to reach six points wins the match.

Zhang, ranked 111th in the world, put up a perfect 30 on the board in the first set, with Diananda getting 28.

The two archers drew the second set 28-28 while the Indonesian recovered to win the third set 28-27.

Zhang won the fourth set 29-24 and led 5-3 heading into the fifth set. Zhang drew another perfect 30 while Diananda managed a 27 before ending the match.

This is Zhang's second medal in this year's Asiad after winning the bronze in mixed team recurve on Monday.

Zhang Xinyan of China in action during Archery Recurve Women's Team Quarterfinal between China and Kazakhstan on day seven of the Asian Games on August 25, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia. [Photo: VCG]

The 2018 Asian Games is the second international contest for Zhang after the Berlin Archery World Cup last month.

Zhang, a relatively new archer, told the media that she was just hoping to get into the top 8 in the women's individual recurve. "I couldn't believe I achieved this, I am happy and proud," Zhang said.

She also said she appeared to be relaxed during the competition as she just wanted to "be herself," without thinking of the gold medal.

Zhang said she will be preparing for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in 2020. "The Asiad is over for me, the gold medal also belongs to the past, I need to restart and train more."