Results of men's 50m pistol  

(L-R) Silver medalist Kim Jong Su of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), gold medalist Jin Jong Oh of South Korea and bronze medalist Tan Zongliang of China stand on the podium during the awarding ceremony of men's 50m pistol final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games shooting event in Beijing, Aug. 12, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ga) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Jin Jong Oh from South Korea surged up in the men's 50-meter pistol final, winning the Olympic gold at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall on Tuesday with 660.4 points.

    The silver medal was gained by Kim Jong Su, 31, from DPR Korea with 660.2 points while Chinese veteran shooter Tan Zongliang received a bronze with 659.5 points.

    The competition was full of suspension.

    Jin, the 29-year-old Athens silver medalist, shared the same qualification score of 563 points with four other shooters, including Kim from DPR Korea who won a bronze at Athens. In front of them was Chinese four-time Olympian Tan with 565.

    In the first shot, Tan stunned spectators with a 7.9, losing his advantage and dropped to the second. Leading position was taken up by Jin who made a 10.3, highest among all finalists.

    In the second shot, Jin maintained his momentum to score a 10.5, while Tan further plunged to the fourth with a 9.2.

    The third shot saw Tan regaining his sharpness a little bit to make a 10.2. He rose to the third but was still 1.3 points behind the leading Jin.

    Amid expectation of Chinese spectators who applauded to encourage him, he made an 8.1 in the fourth shot and fell to the fifth.

    Jin was no better than him. With an 8.5, he swooped to the third. Pavol Kopp from Slovak progressed to the first and Oleg Omelchuk from Ukraine went to the second.

    In the following five shots, both Jin and Tan mustered up their strength to regain their positions as No. 1 and No. 2.

    Before the last shot, there was a 1.9-point gap between the duo.

    The South Korean shooter seemed to be out of gear in the last shot. His score, an 8.2, incurred regretful hiss.

    Tan, the 2002 and 2006 World Championships gold medalist, had his chance. If he could score a 10.2, he would be the champion.

    The 37-year-old raised his gun. Spectators held their breath.

    He fired. A 9.2.

    With the score, he not only lost the chance to crown, but surrendered his second place to Kim.

    However, this was the first Olympic medal for the veteran shooter.

    "I am quite happy to get my first Olympic medal finally," Tan said, "I have tried my best."

    Then he added emotionally, "I've trained for 23 years, 16 of which I spent on the national team. It's a little embarrassing and harsh that I only got a bronze. This Olympics is my last, so this medal will wrap up my shooting career. I am satisfied with myself. I have no regrets."

    Talking about his first bad shot, he said, "I had been in a hurry. But on the whole, my control was OK."

    Kim appeared unhappy about the result.

    "I made every effort to get the gold, but it was a silver. I will continue to compete with everybody to get the gold, and keep doing my best."

    Kopp and Omelchuk finished as sixth and fifth respectively.

Jin Jong Oh of South Korea competes during men's 50m pistol final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games shooting event in Beijing, Aug. 12, 2008. Jin Jong Oh won the first place in the final with a total score of 660.4. (Xinhua/Jiao Weiping) Photo Gallery>>>