Al Ain 2022: Kim emerges winner in shoot-off

It all came down to nerves and keeping composure in the end. And South Korea's Kim Jungnam did it quite impressively to pip former champion Denysiuk Oleksii of Ukraine at the World Shooting Para Sport Championships in Al Ain on Monday.

In a shoot-off to decide the P3 - mixed 25m pistol SH1 winner, Jungnam shot 3 while Denysiuk 2 after both were tied at 28 in regulation play. The title was Kim’s first individual world title after his Team P3 - Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 gold in Sydney 2019.

“Extraordinary.”

“I didn’t expect to win today. There were many top players including Denysiuk in the finals, but I was more focused in playing my usual game. I recently got my rhythm in P3 event and I think that was the key to win; not thinking anything in the finals,” said Kim, the shooter from the Cheongju city in South Korea.

“This win definitely was a big boost to my confidence and determination to do well in future events including Paris 2024.”

Modest Denysiuk

Meanwhile for Denysiuk, the Sydney 2019 champion in the P3 category, it was a satisfying performance. “I am living in Germany for the last few months and hardly managed to train. Even my equipment was all in Ukraine. So, I didn’t have too much expectation today, but happy to take the silver.” 

The 33-year-old was even modest in admitting that he "needs to train more to take the gold medal".

The third place was claimed by India's Rahul Jakhar who also claimed his first Worlds medal on the day after a battle between his compatriots Nihal Singh and Singhraj who finished with 20 and 13 points respectively.

Jakhar was happy to take his first Worlds medal but was little disappointed to have missed the Paris 2024 quota, who went to the first and second place winners. He however compensated helping his side win the Team gold for the first time in Worlds.

As many as 31 quota places to the Paris 2024 are offered in this championship, which is held for the first time in the Middle East region.

Stamp Dominance

In the other final of the day, Poland's Barbara Moskal defended her Sydney 2019 title with a dominating performance winning the VIS-10m air rifle VI standing with 220.9 points. 

In fact, it was a double joy for Poland as Katarzyna Orzechowska (207.7) claimed the second place ahead of Czech Republic’s Martin Adamek (191.3).

The World Championships will run until November 17 with live action on World Shooting Para Sport Facebook page. Live results will be available here.