Denmark’s Olympic silver medalist Torben Grimmel won a thrilling duel to claim the men’s 50 metre rifle prone title at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Munich.
The 40-year-old, who finished second at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, saw off the challenge of Germany’s home favorite Henri Junghaenel, the world number two.
It was the German who won the pre-Rio 2016 test event last month, and the lead changed hands between the two finalists several times today.
Grimmel eventually came through, registering two 10.8 scores with his last four shots to finishing on a tally of 210.6.
Junghaenel had to settle for silver on 209.6.
“It has been hard for me, as I had a bit of difficulties in getting into my optimal position, that’s why I had a couple of shots going out to the right,” said Grimmel, who also won the opening stage of the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup season in Thailand’s capital Bangkok in March.
“But I figured it out, and got it to work.
“The pressure of the match was big.
“I knew that we were close, but I was trying to focus just on my shots, that’s all I can do, and luckily I was the best today.
“In the lead-up to the Olympics I am trying to do what I normally do, staying focused on my technique.
“Because at the end it’s a competition like any other competition, the guys are the same, more or less, the pressure is higher of course, but I am trying to keep it simple.”
American Matthew Emmons, who won Olympic gold in Athens in 2004, won the bronze medal with 187.2 points ahead of Norway’s Stian Bogar on 166.1.
In the 25m rapid fire pistol men’s final, China’s Zhang Fusheng fired his way to the gold medal.
The number five in the world beat World Cup champion Jean Quiquampoix of France, 29 hits to 28.
Christian Reitz won a home medal for Germany with bronze on 24 hits, with South Korea’s Kim Jung Hong coming fourth on 20.
Day four of the World Cup tomorrow will see the women’s 50m rifle three positions final take place, as well as the men’s 10m air pistol final.
By Dan Palmer
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz