SHOOTING: China has won another shooting gold bringing their total number of gold medals to six.

In much cooler conditions on Saturday morning, the final day of competition, China’s Zhengyu Shen stood out in the men’s 50 metre rifle prone.

After qualifying in equal place with Michael Bamsey of Great Britain on 588, spectators were in for a nail-biting final.

Shen commanded the lead up until the sixth shot when Bamsey shot a 10.2 to give him the lead by 0.3. It wasn’t until the 10th and final shot that Shen was able to outscore Bamsey and secure gold by just a 0.1 difference.

Shen finished in first place with an overall score of 689.6, Bamsey claimed silver with 689.5 and bronze went to New Zealand’s Jack Cavanagh with a total of 687.7.

Although disappointed with losing by such a close margin, Bamsey was content with his three silvers.

“It was pretty windy, swapping around quite a lot,” Bamsey explained. “My sighters were pretty good and I was trying to see what I could do but he caught me at the last second.”

“As I squeezed the trigger it twisted round. I saw it go and just thought no!

“If he just shot 0.1 less it would have been a tie, but after winning three silvers I can’t complain.”

The 19-year-old from Great Britain has enjoyed his time at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF).

“I have enjoyed competing at the AYOF. It has been a really well run competition, even the weather has been nice,” Bamsey said.

In a good show of support for the competitors Australian Olympian Warren Potent, who won bronze at Beijing in the 50 metre prone, was on hand to present the medals.

Australian Frederyk Woodhouse finished in seventh position with a score of 680. Nicholas Ioakim didn’t qualify for the finals.

Sophie Morrison
olympics.com.au