Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Jin shoots his way to win gold in10m
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Ace marksman Jin Jong-oh won Korea’s first gold at the London Olympics in the 10-meter air pistol at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Saturday.
“It’s the best day of my life,” Jin said. “I was very nervous but I did my best to overcome my anxiety.”
Jin’s initial lead was solid but he halted when he shot 9.3, 9.0, 9.4 and 9.7 from shot six onwards in the final stage. Italy’s Luca Tesconi and Serbia’s Andrija Zlatic kept the tension high until the end, closely chasing Jin. However, as his last shot penetrated to mark the game’s best score of 10.8, he put an end to the nerve-racking competition with a final score of 688.2. The maximum score was 10.9. Tesconi snatched the silver with 685.8 and Zlatic won the bronze with 685.2. Jin claims the victory moment was surreal for him.
“I want to be a proud dad to my baby that’s soon to be born. I miss all my family,” Jin said. “I thought I had another shot, then I looked at the screen and I saw my name, Luca Tesconi, silver.”
The Beijing Olympics gold medalist in the 50-meter pistol earned silver in the 10-meter air pistol four years ago, behind China’s defending champion Pang Wei. Jin wiped out the stain of the defeat this time as Pang came in fourth after struggling through the last stage of the final, he failed to stay in the medal positions.
“I concentrated more because Pang won the gold last time. I promised myself that I would not let it happen this time,” Jin said.
The game’s strong starter, Ukraine’s Oleh Omelchuk, also fell out of the medal spot when he made an 8.5 despite being the only shooter that hit 10s in his initial seven shots.
Since Jin won his first Olympic silver medal in the 50-meter pistol in Athens eight years ago, he has been recognized as the nation’s best shooter as he earned gold in the same event in addition to a silver in the 10-meter air pistol in Beijing in 2008. With his early achievements in the 10-meter event, which is regarded as less competitive than the 50-meter pistol, all fan are waiting to see whether Jin will defend his champion title in the 50-meter event which will be held at 8:30 p.m. Korean time Aug. 5.
After winning the nation’s first and his second Olympic gold medal in London, Jin showed modest confidence about the upcoming competition.
“I think there's almost no separation in talent levels among the Olympic shooters. Winning a medal has a lot to do with luck," Jin said. "I just want to stay humble and give everything I have. I love shooting.”