Xie makes golden debut, Korean 1-2 in women’s pistol

Xie Yu of China struck gold in a dream Olympic debut in the men’s 10m air pistol and Oh Ye-jin led a South Korean 1-2 in the women’s event yesterday.
After China won the 10 metre air rifle mixed team event on Saturday, Xie (240.9) mined another gold from the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, beating Italian Federico Nilo Maldini (240) who took the silver medal.
Paolo Monna (218.6) claimed bronze with clear daylight between the top three and rest of the field.
“If I hadn’t won, this may have been my biggest regret,” Xie told reporters.
“It is very difficult to be selected for China for the Olympics, so to be able to stand here today, on this higher stage, is very significant for me.”
Xie carried a wafer-thin cushion of 0.4 going into the final shot after Maldini had reduced the gap in the elimination section.
The Italian lost his momentum at the last minute, however, and stood gazing at the floor after signing off with a modest 9.5.
Xie scored 10 to seal the gold and flashed a shy smile as his teammates in bright red-and-white erupted in the stands.
“We both made some silly mistakes but we have no regrets whatsoever,” Maldini said, referring to compatriot Monna.
“I had good vibes since the beginning of the final,” Monna said. “It’s certainly emotional and a very rare one because we are friends.
“This is the first time we’re on the podium together and it is the most important one.”
Similar camaraderie prevailed in the women’s competition where a 19-year-old Oh beat roommate Kim Ye-ji to the gold and Manu Bhaker won India’s first medal in the Paris Games.
Oh tallied 243.2 to set an Olympic record and Kim 241.3. “I still cannot believe I’m wearing a gold medal on my neck right now, but maybe if time goes by, I will believe I have a gold medal,” said Oh, who burst into tears after winning the gold.
“This medal is very heavy, by the way.”
Kim said she had no issues finishing behind a shooter she guided early in her career.
“She’s like my sister... When she won the gold, I was extra happy,” she said.
Bhaker (221.7) settled for the bronze but became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal.
“I have three more events to go and I hope India finishes strong in this Olympics and win as many medals as possible not just in shooting but also in other sports,” she told reporters.