PARIS — Oh Ye-jin, a 19-year-old South Korean pistol shooter, claimed an unexpected gold medal at the Paris Olympics in the women's 10-meter air pistol event, marking a significant victory for her country and setting a new Olympic record.
According to Yonhap News Agency, ranked No. 35 globally and considered a long shot for a medal, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre in Chateauroux, south of Paris. She edged out her more experienced teammate, Kim Ye-ji, by 1.9 points, achieving a score of 243.2 to establish the new Olympic standard.
Oh's journey to the top of the Olympic podium began somewhat serendipitously in middle school in 2018 when she followed friends to a shooting team tryout. Despite her initial casual interest, Oh quickly discovered a talent for the sport, leading her to compete and win at international levels, including a World Cup gold in Jakarta in 2023.
The competition in Paris was intense, with Oh and Kim exchanging leads throughout the elimination rounds, outperforming other competitors including India's Manu Bhaker, who took bronze. Oh's performance peaked at the right moments, securing her the victory with impressive final shots in the decisive rounds.
This gold is South Korea's first in shooting since 2016 and represents a significant achievement for Oh, who believes her future in the sport extends far beyond this Olympic success. She has expressed a commitment to maintaining a high standard in her performance, aiming to become a consistent force in the sport.