A busy schedule for Australia’s shooters at the Rio Olympics saw them finish day seven with fluctuating fortunes.
It was a big moment for 16-year-old Aislin Jones, who stepped up to the plate in the women’s Skeet. She put in a spirited effort to tally 63 but that was not enough to earn her qualification from a finishing berth of 17th. However, the youngster clearly has a promising future in front of her.
Italy’s Diana Bacosi grabbed gold in the Skeet with success over compatriot Chiara Cainero. Thirty-eight-year-old Cainero, who won gold in 2008, missed two of her first four shots and Bacosi, 33, never relinquished her grip after that. American Kim Rhode, 37, beat China’s Wei Meng in the bronze medal match to become the first person to win Olympic medals on five continents.
Australian pair Warren Potent and Dane Sampson failed to advance to the final of the men’s 50m Rifle Prone. Potent ended up in 35th position while Sampson had to settle for 31st spot.
Germany’s Henri Junghaenal romped away with gold in the event. The 28-year-old set an Olympic record in the final with a finishing score of 209.5. He led for the majority of the contest. The result sealed the third medal of the Games for Germany after Barbara Engleder won the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Position event and Monika Karsch’s silver in the 25m Pistol. Kim Jong-Hyun, of South Korea, took silver ahead of Russia’s Kirill Grigoryan.
The men’s Skeet is held over two days and comprises five rounds. Paul Adams and Keith Ferguson, the Aussie duo, return to the action for the final two rounds before the top six contenders advance to the business end. Adams is in ninth position, while Ferguson occupies 11th berth.
Australia’s David Chapman also awaits the second stage of qualification in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event. Chapman will restart his effort from 26th position.