Czech markswoman crowned in women's 10m air rifle with record-equaling performance

Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic competes during the women's 10m air rifle final in the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 ISSF World Cup at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall in Beijing, April 12, 2008. Katerina Emmons claimed the title with a score of 504.9 points.(Photo credit: Xinhua)Photo Gallery>>BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Czech markswoman Katerina Emmons snatched the gold medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle and equaled the world record of 504.9 points at the Good Luck Beijing ISSF World Cup on Saturday.

German shooter Sonja Pfeilschifter collected 502.4 points, beating Olympic champion Chinese Du Li to the third place with an advantage of 0.2 points.

Emmons, who was known by her surname Kurkova before marrying American sharpshooter Matthew Emmons, said she did not expect to equal the world record.

"Du Li is a talented shooter and I can't imagine anyone can do more than she did," she said.

"The fact that I win today doesn't mean I can win the Olympic medal," she said. "There are at least 10 can get that medal. I have good chance but as much as theirs."

Du Li still had a smile on the face despite the result.

"It is normal to get nine points," she said about her last shot.

"Maybe there are psychological reasons and I will make a good sum-up after the competitions."

Talking about pressure, Du believed that everyone in the contest could feel it.

"Maybe this will be the only chance for me to compete in the Olympic Games hosted by my own country, and I enjoy pressure."

Pfeilschifter, world record holder of the women's 50m rifle three positions who was ranked fourth in the qualification round with 398 points, made steady progress by scoring all of her 10 shots above 10 points.

Kazakhstan's shooter Olga Dovgun also notched 399 points in the qualification round but lost her nerves in the final, surrendering even a fourth place to Russian star Lioubov Galkina.

Three other Chinese shooters, Zhao Yinghui, Zhang Yi and Yin Wen were shut out of the final with 393, 393 and 391 points respectively.