Ruban wins gold

Ruban, who won bronze in the team event in Athens, survived a sudden death shoot off against Russian Bair Badenov to reach the final before going on to beat the Korean world number three 113-112 in the gold medal match.

Ruban is ranked fifth in the world and came into the Olympics in fine form after winning the most recent World Cup stage in France. The Ukrainian said it had yet to sink in that he was Olympic champion.

"I deserve the medal because I've trained for 14 years," he said. "I'll probably only realise what I've achieved tomorrow."

Badenov beat Mexico's Juan Rene Serrano to win the bronze.

However it was heartache once again for South Korea, who have never won the men's individual title despite dominating the team event for the last 12 years.

Park, who also marked his 33rd birthday on Friday, won gold in the team event earlier in the week but could not give South Korea the title it craved on the country's Liberation Day.

His preparations for the Games had been hit hard when his father died of cancer in June and he had vowed to win the gold in his honour.

"I was looking forward to winning gold at the Olympics but it was just not to be," said Park.

"I think the Beijing Games will be my last Olympics. Truthfully, I really don't know what else to say."

Park's loss came a day after compatriot Park Sung-hyun suffered a shock defeat in the women's final, which ended a 24-year streak of domination for South Korea's women.

Meanwhile, Alan Wills was beaten 108-104 by Cuba's Juan Carlos Stevens in his last 16 contest.

"I was the best prepared I could have been today, but I just didn"t shoot my best," said Wills. "I felt a bit subdued, usually I shoot with more aggression. Obviously I'm absolutely gutted."

Age: 27 (date of birth: May 24, 1981)

Career achievements:

Fourth place, 2005 World Championships (team archery)

Previous Olympic results:

Bronze medallist at 2004 Olympics (team archery)

13th place at 2004 Olympics (individual archery)

Ruban is ranked fifth in the world and came into the 2008

Olympics in fine form after winning the most recent World Cup stage in France.