Jin Jong Oh from South Korea surged up in the final of men's 50-meter pistol event, winning the Olympic gold at 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 a same qualification score of 563 points with four other shooters, including Kim Jong Su from DPR Korea who won a bronze at Athens. In front of them was Chinese four-time Olympian Tan Zongliang 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 applaused 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 position in 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 breathe.

He fired a 9.2.

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

Kopp and Omelchuk finished as sixth and fifth respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2008)