Chateauroux - In a remarkable display of skill and composure, 19-year-old Oh Ye-jin captured gold in the women's 10-meter air pistol event at the Paris Olympics, marking only her sixth year in competitive shooting.
According to Yonhap News Agency, entered the competition ranked 35th in the world, with few expecting her to contend for a medal. Yet, at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, she defied odds and expectations, setting a new Olympic record of 243.2 points and edging out fellow South Korean Kim Ye-ji by 1.9 points to clinch the gold. This victory represents South Korea’s first Olympic shooting gold since 2016 and adds a thrilling chapter to the nation's storied history in the sport.
The competition format involved initial rounds where shooters fired series of shots to narrow down the field, with Oh and Kim battling through to an all-Korean final. Despite early nerves, Oh secured her win with precision, hitting crucial targets in the decisive moments. She attributed part of her success to a pre-competition ritual of eating lemon-flavored jelly, a habit born from a positive initial experience with the snack.
Oh’s journey to Olympic gold began somewhat serendipitously when she accompanied friends to a shooting tryout in middle school. Her rapid rise in the sport includes a World Cup gold in 2023, though she entered the Olympics under the radar compared to other athletes. Reflecting on her victory, Oh expressed her long-term commitment to the sport and her ambition to remain a leading figure in shooting beyond the Olympic arena.