CHATEAUROUX — In a stunning display of skill and composure, 16-year-old South Korean shooter Ban Hyo-jin clinched the gold medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the Paris Olympics. This victory not only sets her apart as the youngest of the 143 South Korean athletes at the Games but also marks her as the youngest medalist.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ban emerged victorious after a dramatic shoot-off against 17-year-old Chinese shooter Huang Yuting, with both competitors initially tying by setting an Olympic record of 251.8 points after 24 shots. This success follows a series of impressive achievements for Ban, who only began shooting three years ago. She quickly moved up the ranks, winning a municipal competition soon after starting, and continued her ascent by claiming silver at a World Cup stop in Munich this June before setting another Olympic record in the qualification round in Paris with 634.5 points.
The final moments of the event were tense, with Huang catching up to Ban's initial 1.3-point lead. However, in the shoot-off, Ban scored a 10.4 after Huang's 10.3, securing the gold medal in a nail-biting finish. Despite thinking she had settled for silver after her final regulation shot scored only 9.6, Ban seized the opportunity in the shoot-off, which she viewed as a "chance sent from above."
Ban's victory at the Paris Olympics is not just a personal triumph; it also represents South Korea's 100th gold in its Summer Olympic history, a milestone of great significance. Looking forward, Ban expressed a desire to continue pushing her limits, aiming to set more records and further her already promising career in shooting.