Liu Yukun of China competes during the 50m rifle 3 positions men's final of shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Chateauroux, France, Aug 1, 2024. - Photo: Xinhua
CHATEAUROUX, (France): China's Liu Yukun bagged a gold medal in his Olympic debut after winning the men's 50m rifle 3 positions here on Thursday (Aug 1).
Qualified first with 594 points, the world record holder scored 463.6 points in the final for the victory.
Serhiy Kulish of Ukraine added another silver medal to the one he won in men's 10m air rifle at the Rio Olympics with 461.3 points.
"I'm very lucky because the Olympics happened at a time when I was in a good form," said a modest Liu, who has the word "LUCKY" emblazoned on the right leg of his shooting outfit.
"This gold medal doesn't just belong to me; it belongs to my coach, the supporting team, and the rehabilitation therapists, every one that supports me all the way.
"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of them.
"It is their collective efforts that made my achievement today possible."
Kulish was also excited to win his second Olympic medal in his fourth Olympic appearance.
"I am overwhelmed with emotion. It is hard to describe.
"It was a hard competition. I just tried to concentrate hard to get the job done."
Swapnil Kusale of India took the bronze, India's third medal of the colour in shooting.
"This medal means a lot. It is not a gold, but I am pleased I got a medal.
"To get an Olympic medal is a dream," said Kusale, who was born into a humble family and picked up shooting with a rifle his father bought for him on loan.
He didn't finish repayment for that loan until three years ago, after he was enlisted in the Indian national team.
Liu came to the Paris Olympics in top form, having won two gold medals in the World Cups, including one in May in Baku, Azerbijian, where he set the world record of 468.9 points.
He had a solid start into the final, but a 49.7-point series in the standing position saw him trail by 0.1 point behind Kulish before the elimination stage.
He managed to overtake the Ukrainian after three shots, though, and a perfect 10.9 in the penultimate shot put him on a safe 1.8-point cushion.
The 27-year-old scored a 9.9 to wrap up his victory.
"I believe I did well in controlling myself, particularly mentally.
"Although I was affected by the loud cheers from the crowd, I didn't focus too much on the outcome, which helped keep my performance relatively stable," said Liu.
This is the fourth shooting gold for China at the Paris Olympics.
Sheng Lihao took an individual gold in men's 10m air rifle, two days after winning the first gold of Paris 2024 with his pair Huang Yuting in the mixed team event on Saturday.
Xie Yu won men's 10m air pistol on Sunday. - Xinhua/ANN
