The 19-year old Korean shot a new Olympic Record to qualify for the final, and then outdid the reigning Olympic Champion Chen of China to finish on the highest step of the podium.
The 2010 10m Air Pistol Women Youth Olympic Champion, Kim Jingmi, 19, won today’s 25m Pistol Women event at the Royal Artillery Barracks Olympic venues in London.
The 19-year old shooter from Incheon, dominated the 39-woman field in the qualification rounds and led the way to the final by setting an Olympic record of 591 points. The other competitors were struggling to follow Kim - closest to her was Tanyaporn Prucksakorn of Thailand, who qualified in second place, six points behind the Korean finalist.
Kim seemed to struggle to control her nerves in the final and endangered her leadership in the second and third series. After the third series, she was indeed overtaken by defending champion Chen Ying of China, but fought back at the last minute, scoring a massive 51.8 points in the fourth and last series to clinch the title with a total tally of 792.4 points.
"I am not sure if it's a dream or this is reality. I will make sure it's real when I get gold at the ceremony." Kim said smiling.
"But, well… If I think about it, the medal is so heavy around my neck. So, yes, it must be real." The 19-year old Korean shooter added.
“There were not so many media at the Youth Olympic Games. The pressure is definitely higher here, but I put the same efforts to perform well, as I did 2 years ago in Singapore.” The winner said, while company Singapore 2010 to London 2012.
“I left home saying I was going to win Gold. I am happy to go back with the brightest medal around my neck.”
The 2008 Olympic Champion, Chen Ying of China, eventually secured silver with 791.4 points. She chased Kim fiercely and briefly held the top position after shooting an outstanding 52.8 in the third series - the highest score of the final. However she could not defend her lead, giving away the title by shooting 50.0 in the last series.
This time was very difficult for me. I have a family and a (three-year-old) baby. Separation is very hard. I miss my home, my family and my daughter. She gives me new life. But it's worth it. A silver medal is very nice." Chen said.
"Because shooting is at the beginning of the Games, if we win it gets us off to a good start and inspires the rest of the Chinese team. So we feel we have a responsibility and a mission to win." Added the Chinese Silver medalist.
“We had really heavy storms in my city, in this period. I would like to dedicate this medal to the people who has been suffering, back home.
Ukraine's Olena Kostevych pocketed the bronze medal with 788.6 points. She was fourth after the third series, but snatched a spot on the podium by performing brilliantly in the last series.
This is her second medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games adding to her bronze in the women's 10m air pistol on Sunday, 29 July. "I am on top of happiness. This medal counts much more than all the medals I have won before. I am a specialist in the 10m event, so this medal counts as a Gold. Being able to win two Bronzes is simply great, for me."
Out of the podium, Serbia’s Zorana Arunovic, one of the young up-and-coming shooters at her first Olympics, as well as one of the favouritres finished in fourth place with 787.3 points "I am extremely happy to reach this final and shoot well, but it was not enough. Kim was better than me."
Lenka Maruskova of Czech Republic, the world No.1 in this event, failed to make the final, finishing 13th, closing her 2012 London Olympics without medals.