Beijing: American shooter Matthew Emmons was set for good-natured ribbing from his wife Katerina after he failed to defend his Olympic 50m rifle prone title here on Friday.
Emmons had watched Katerina, a Czech shooter, win the women's 10m air rifle last Saturday -- the first gold medal of the Beijing Games -- and a silver in Thursday's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
But he himself managed only a silver on Friday in an event he won comfortably at Athens four years ago as unfancied Artur Ayvazian of Ukraine outshone all rivals in the eight-man final.
Ayvazian finished with a combined tally of 702.7, one point ahead of Emmons, while Australia's world record holder Warren Potent took the bronze with 700.5 points.
Emmons, however, gets a second chance to make amends when he competes in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions on Sunday, an event in which he finished eighth in Athens.
"I am sure there will be a bit of ribbing at home after this, but this was the best match of my life," said Emmons.
"It is very hard to walk into the final two points behind and hope to come out on top. It was as good as I can do. And Katerina too was happy. She knew it was the best I can shoot.
"Three medals for one family at the Olympics is phenomenal. I could not be happier. Katerina's success gave me a lot of energy and motivation. I wanted to do well too."
Emmons had met Katerina at the Athens Olympics in unusual circumstances after he shot at the wrong target and was denied a medal in the 50m Rifle event.
Katerina, who was working as an television expert after finishing her own events, sought out the downcast Matthew and soon the two became close friends.
They married last year and now split their time travelling between the United States and the Czech Republic, where Katerina still has a home and competes for.
Ayvazian, who finished ninth at Athens, said he was amazed at winning the title in his third Olympics.
"It is my greatest success," said the 35-year-old. "I think the experience of taking part in three Olympics helped. It was my day."
Australian Potent, who equalled the world record at the World Cup here in April, came in third despite the best score in the final of 105.5.
"I am still getting to my prime," said the 46-year-old. "I am just maturing with age, you know, like good wine.
"The qualification was a bit off for me, but I hit my final shots really well and am happy to win a medal."
With 12 of the 15 shooting events decided, China have four golds, followed by the Czech Republic with two, and India, Finland, South Korea, Italy, Ukraine and the United States with one each.
Comments
0 comment