Newly-crowned Chinese shooter Xu expects breakthrough

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shooter Xu Kun, who grabbed the gold of men's 50-meter pistol at the 11th Asian Shooting Championships here on Thursday with 662.3 points, expects a breakthrough of himself.

The 27-year-old Asiad champion topped the qualification round with 569 points, seven points ahead of his arch rival Jin Jong Oh of South Korea.

In the ten-shot final, he scored two shots above ten, four of the nines and four of the eights to maintain his advantage to the last minute.

The pursuing Jin managed to shorten the gap to 5.5 points, but failed to surpass the former and settled for a silver with 656.8 points.

"The score in the qualification round is OK while the final one not so satisfactory," he said, adding that his qualification scores always lingered at 567 or 568, twice above 700.

Xu cited his deteriorating eyesight a hindering factor in his performance.

"I just bought a pair of glasses but didn't wear them today," he said, "sometimes I am anxious to see clearly the target, only to neglect the sense."

Many sharpshooters rely on their senses, rather than eyesights, to make shots, Xu added.

Talking about his rivals, Xu believed that Jin was a formidable competitor. "But my major rivals are from Russia."

Wang Yifu, head coach of the Chinese national shooting squad, noted that Xu should improve in the final.

"He should have scored at least 95 or 96 points. To acquire the Olympic gold medal, he would need a 97 or more," he said. Xu Kun got 94.8 points in the final.

"Compared with other shooting events, shooters' scores in 50-meter pistol are least stable and no one could be sure of his or her own success," said Wang.

World Record of the event was held by American marksman William Demarest with 676.2 points, and Wang's last glory in the event before his retirement was a gold medal in the 2002 Asian Games.

"I am still way behind," Xu Kun said admiringly, "I hope that Icould be such a good shooter as well."

The bronze medal of men's 50-meter pistol was won by Panichpatikum Jakkrit from Thailand with 655.0 points.

Lin Zhongzai, another Chinese shooter who edged into the final with 559 points in the qualification round, collected 651.4 points to finish the fifth.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shooter Xu Kun grabbed the gold of men's 50-meter pistol at the 11th Asian Shooting Championships here on Thursday with 662.3 points.

Xu, 27, was champion of this event at the Doha Asian Games, when he achieved 663.8 points. He topped the qualification round with 569 points, seven points ahead of his arch competitor Jin Jong Oh from South Korea.