(3rd LD) (Asiad) China gets world record back in women's 10ｍ air rifle after ruling reversal

(ATTN: UPDATES with individual final results in last 4 paras)
By Oh Seok-min

INCHEON, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- After referees' reversal of their earlier decision to disqualify one of its athletes, the Chinese women's shooting team regained its world record and the gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle event at the Asian Games on Monday.

The Chinese trio of Yi Siling, Zhang Binbin and Wu Liuxi combined for 1253.8 points to win the team gold at Ongnyeon International Shooting Range, breaking the previous world record set by their own teammates last year by 0.1 point.

It is the first world record from shooting at this Asiad underway in South Korea's western port city of Incheon.

Moments after the Chinese shooters posted the record score, Zhang was disqualified for use of unauthorized equipment, costing her team the gold and the world record. The judging committee, however, later reversed its decision following strong appeal by China that Zhang "didn't intend to break the rule."

With China recapturing the gold, Iran took silver with 1245.9 points, and South Korea grabbed bronzed with 1241.6.

In the team component, the combined scores of three shooters for each country in the individual qualification round determine the medalists.

Aided by teenage shooter Kim Seol-a's better-than-expected performance, South Korea enjoyed a podium finish in this event for the first time in 12 years. At the 2002 Asiad held in the country's southern city of Busan, South Korea got bronze.

The 18-year-old Kim scored 416 points to finish seventh in the qualification round, becoming the country's sole shooter to advance into the individual final. Only the top eight shooters from this round reach the final.

The overturned decision put all three shooters from China on the list of the top eight qualifiers, with China's Yi, who holds the world record of 422.5 points in this distance, leading the team.

In the individual final competition of the same distance held later in the day, Iran dominated the podium, taking both gold and silver. China's Zhang won bronze despite being involved in the judging controversy.

South Korea's Kim and Yi from China finished a disappointing eighth and fifth, respectively.

graceoh@yna.co.kr
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