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Rio 2016: Reitz wins shooting gold after perfect final round

August 13, 2016

Christian Reitz stormed to victory in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol. A perfect score in the last round was enough to condemn his French opponent to silver and confirm Germany's third shooting gold of the games.

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Olympiade Rio Schnellfeuerpistole Christian Reitz
Image: Reuters/E. Garrido

After bronze medallist Li Yuehong, from China, was eliminated, Reitz had a two point lead in his head-to-head with Frenchman Jean Quiquampoix, thanks to some accurate marksmanship in earlier rounds.

Reitz shot first, scoring a perfect five to confirm the gold medal. The German kept his cool with his opponent still to shoot but a wry smile and a sigh of relief was evidence of his joy.

After France's Jean Quiquampoix took his shots in vain, Reitz beamed as the crowd erupted before Reitz exchanged embraces with his opponents. Reitz (34) finished four points ahead of Quiquampoix (30), with Li shooting 27.

The German won bronze in the Beijing Games in 2008 and his win on Saturday was Germany's third shooting gold in Rio. Barbara Engleder won the first in the 50m rifle 3 positions before Henri Junghänel followed suit in the 50m rifle prone. Monika Karsch also won silver in the 25m women's pistol shooting.