Jin Jong-oh sets sights on Korea’s first gold in London

South Korea’s ace shooter Jin Jong-oh is ready to shoot for the country’s first gold medal of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

He is reported to have trained in 10 m air pistol and 50 m pistol on the firing range of the Royal Artillery Barracks in London until Wednesday, then concentrated on the 10 m air pistol on Thursday afternoon.

It was his last training session held in the afternoon before the event starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Athletes can train only in the morning on Friday when London will kick off the Summer Olympics with the opening ceremony.

The men’s 10 m air pistol is the event in which Jin won a silver medal in Beijing four yeas ago. In the four years since, he has practiced with the air pistol intensively with an eye on gold.

He holds the world record in 10 m air pistol with 594 points, set at the World Cup in Changwon, Korea, in 2009. 

Jin seeks a double win in 50 m pistol as well as the gold medal in 10 m air pistol. He won the 50 m pistol in Beijing in 2008.

His first baby, due in November this year, is a strong motivator. The 32-year-old is said to be eager to become a respectable medalist father. Jin got off to a flying start as a newcomer on the national squad. At the 2002 Busan Asian Games, where he debuted as part of Team Korea, he grabbed the bronze medal in 10 m air pistol individual and the team silver in the same event.

Two years later, on the Olympic stage, he received the spotlight by winning the silver medal in 50 m pistol. In 2006, however, he seemed to slump as he ended up with the bronze at the Doha Asian Games.

His potential radiated in Beijing in 2008. He won the silver medal in 10 m air pistol, followed by the gold in 50 m pistol. It was South Korea’s first Olympic shooting gold in 16 years.

In the 50 m pistol final, Jin outscored Tang Zongliang of China, who had led the Korean shooter by two points in the qualification round.

At the 2010 Asian Games, Jin clinched the silver medal in individual 50 m pistol.

At the Munich World Cup in May this year, which was the last international event before the London Olympics, he ranked first in the 10 m air pistol, followed by Tang in second. Jin took the gold in 50 m pistol as well.

Currently, Jin ranks second in 10 m air pistol and third in 50 m pistol in the International Shooting Sport Federation’s global standings. Tang is No. 1 in 10 m air pistol.

The final of the men’s 10 m air pistol is to begin at 11:30 p.m. Korean time on Saturday.

He faces tough competition from such rivals as Tang and Leonid Ekimov of Russia, but his chances in 10 m air pistol are high, considering his condition.

“One of the major factors that will affect shooting records is physical and mental condition on competition day,” Kim Sun-il, South Korea men’s pistol head coach, told reporters in London. “Jin has adapted well to the time difference, and he is in his best form.”

Eyes are drawn to whether Jin will succeed in clinching Korea’s first gold of the London Olympics.

The men’s 50 m pistol final will begin at 8:30 p.m. Korean time on Aug. 5.

Meanwhile, South Korea has sent three rifle marksmen to London. Han Jin-seop will compete in three rifle events, Kim Jong-hyun in two and Kim Hak-man in the 50 m prone event.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)