China's Du Li wins 1st Athens Olympic gold

Du Li is all smiles as she holds up the gold medal

China's Du Li clinched the first gold medal at the Athens Olympics after she won the women's 10m air rifle event on Saturday, August 14.

The 22-year-old outscored a host of elite markswomen, including compatriot Zhao Yinghui, world number one Lioubov Galkina of Russia and world and European champion Katerina Kurkova of the Czech Republic, winning with an Olympic record score of 502.0 points.

Du, who is competing in her first Olympics, entered the 10-shot final with 398 points on joint second places along with Zhao and Kurkova. She was edged into fifth place after opening the final with a 9.4.

"I was a little bit nervous, so I didn't shoot well," Du said of her first shot in the final.

The Chinese girl managed to maintain her composure and rejoined the title race with an ensuing 10.6 and 10.8. But she didn't overtake all-time leader Galkina until the last shot, firing a 10.6 against the Russian's 9.7.

"My confidence grew as the final went on," said Du.

Chinese Du Li wipes her eyes as she is congratulated by her coach after she won the women's 10m air rifle gold medal with 502 points at the Olympic Games in Athens on Saturday, August 14.(newsphoto)

Galkina, who led by a full point into the final with 399 points, had to settle for the silver with a total of 501.5 points. Kurkova claimed the bronze medal with 501.1 points.

Zhao, a title favorite before the Games, only finished a disappointing fourth on 500.8 points.

Results of women's 10m air rifle finals

1. Du Li, China, 502.0 points

2. Lioubov Galkina, Russia, 501.5

3. Katerina Kurkova, Czech Republic, 501.1

4. Zhao Yinghui, China, 500.8

5. Tatiana Goldobina, Russia, 499.5

6. Sonja Pfeilschifter, Germany, 498.7

7. Laurence Brize, France, 497.9

8. Suma Shirur, India, 497.2