Published on 14 Aug 2015

Rifle 3 Positions shooter Hui claims China's 6th gold medal at the ISSF World Cup in Gabala

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Marco Dalla Dea

The People's Republic of China collected another gold medal at today's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men event, the sixth out of 12 events conducted so far. Hui Zicheng, today's winner, was joined by his teammate Zhu Qinan, who climbed atop of the third step of the podium.

The People's Republic of China seems to be unstoppable, at the ISSF World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan.

 

Ranking atop of the intermediate medal standing after 12 out of 15 events far ahead of the United States, team China secured two more medals – a gold and a bronze - this morning.

 

Hui Zicheng (26) finished atop of the men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions podium, leaving Austria Alexander Schmirl (25) in second, and his teammate Zhu Qinan (30) in third.

 

Hui started-off the medal-match with one of the lowest kneeling position's scores among the finalists, 150.0 points, but then climbed up through the prone position (306.0 points), just to give his best in the standing series, where he shot consistently right to the end, pocketing gold with 459.8 points.

 

His teammate Zhu - the 2004 air rifle Olympic champion and reigning rifle 3 positions world champion – was in the lead right until the second-last shot. Then, as he fired a frustrating 7.0, he slid down in third place, where he closed the match with 446.8 points and the bronze medal.

 

Austria's Schmirl took advantage of Zhu's defiance, moving up in second place, securing the silver medal with 457.9 points.

 

France's 2008 Olympian Josseling Henry (33), ranked 82nd in the world in this event, followed the medallists placing in fourth with 436.9 points.

“This is the result of long trainings. Gabala's has been a great competition, I feel really good now.” Hui said. “I am just trying to be myself through the competition, and to do my best. I am also a bit lucky, which helps. I will keep on fighting to stay on top!” 

Two quota places were up for grabs at today's final.

 

Fedor Vlasov of the Russian Federation (31) won the first one. The Russian athlete started-off the match with some great shots, climbing up the scoreboards, and even moved in the lead at the end of the prone series, sliding then down in fifth place were he closed the match with 426.7 points.

 

India's first-time finalist Chain Singh (26) claimed the second Rio 2016 quota, as he finished in eighth with 403.7 points.

 

The 2010 Youth Olympic Games silver medallist Illia Chareika (22), took sixth place with 416.6 points, while the Chinese first-time finalist Li Jiahong (29), ended up in seventh with 406.0 points.

 

Later on, this afternoon, the ISSF World Cup in Gabala will continue with two more medal events. The 10m Air Pistol Women final will take place at 15.00, while the Trap Women semi-final and medal matches will follow at 18.45 (GMT+5). The two finals will be broadcasted live on www.issf-sports.org

Intermediate medal standings - after 12 out of 15 events

Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 CHN 6 3 2 11
2 USA 2 2
4
3 KOR 1 2 1 4
4 RUS 1 1 2 4
5 IRI 1
1 2
5
ITA 1
1 2
7 AUT
2
2
8 GBR
1 1 2
9 KAZ
1
1
10 CRO

1 1
10 CZE

1 1
10 FRA

1 1
10 SVK

1 1
12 12 12 36