CHATEAUROUX — South Korean teenager Ban Hyo-jin clinched the gold medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the Paris Olympics, marking a historic achievement as the youngest shooting medalist from her country at the age of 16.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ban's victory came after a tense shoot-off against Huang Yuting of China, where she scored 10.4 to Huang's 10.3, following a tie at an Olympic record of 251.8 points. This win contributes to South Korea's tally, being the fourth gold medal at the Paris Olympics and the 100th gold in its Summer Games history. Ban, who began shooting just three years ago, showed remarkable composure, overcoming a near loss in the final moments of the competition.
The event unfolded with intense competition as Ban and Huang battled closely through the initial and single-shot stages of the final. Despite leading for most of the event, Ban faced a critical moment when Huang closed the gap, leading to a final shoot-off. Ban's final shot in the shoot-off, which decided the gold, demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure, securing her place in Olympic history as a standout young athlete.