-16 to the Games. Kostevych wants her 10m Air Pistol Women title back

The 2004 Olympic Champion Olena Kostevych wants her title back, and makes no secret of it. The 27-year old champion from Ukraine won the Athens’ Olympics eight years ago, and then lost that “magic touch” for the target. At the following Olympics, in 2008, she landed in place 31. But now things have changed, and she’s returned to win. For the last two years, Kostevych has climbed back in the world ranking to the top by winning six ISSF World Cup medals between 2011 and 2012, and earning Gold at the last ISSF World Cup Final in Wroclaw last year. Numbers do not lie: she participated in 13 ISSF events in the last Olympic cycle, making it to 11 finals, and then finished 8 times on the podium and won 4 matches. In the last four years, no one else has won as many.

The current Olympic Champ, China’s Guo Wenjun, places in second in the ISSF NEWS Magazine’s “Super 25 Chart”, and that’s because of her record five podiums and two victories during the last four years. But she hasn’t been doing as well in the last season, and that’s why the 28-year old shooter slid in the world ranking. In London, they will most certainly meet the current World Champion, Serbia’s 26-year old Zorana Arunovic. The young sharpshooter won the last ISSF World Cup Stage of the year held in Munich, with about 5 points of advantage over her followers, returning to the top of an ISSF podium after a one-year absence. “I have been saved by Munich!” The young Serbian winner declared right after the final. “I had some issues at the previous ISSF World Cup Stages in Milan and London, so this result helps me build up my self confidence on my way to the Olympic Games.” Arunovic, who is acknowledged to be one of the best up-and-coming pistol shooters in the world scene, will also compete in the 25m Pistol Women event, as she declared. “Air Pistol is my strong event. I am training in Sport Pistol as well, but I think it takes more time to get at the top in the 25m Pistol Women event. But at the Olympic Games, I will be participating in both matches.”

And France’s Olympic hope Celine Goberville, ranked sixth in the world, will also be competing in both matches. She participated in 13 ISSF events throughout the last four years. And when she participates, there is always a good chance that she will enter the final (10 finals in the last Olympic cycle) and on then on the podium (three medals, one victory since 2009).

10m Air Pistol Women

Date of the Final in London: Sunday, 29.07.2012 at 11:45

Reigning Olympic Medallists

Current World Ranking Leaders

Current World Record Holder

Current Olympic Record Holder

ISSF NEWS Magazine Super 25 Chart