It's hard to predict the winner of an Olympic event.

It is even harder when it comes to women's 10-meter air rifle, which is set to produce the first Olympic gold medal in Beijing, simply because any of the big names seemed to be sure of victory.

Topping the list was German markswoman Sonja Pfeilschifter, double world record holder.

This is the fourth time that the short-haired soldier participated in the Olympic Games. Despite a glittering career which included a dozen World Cup titles, Pfeilschifter has never won an Olympic medal.

"The Olympics doesn't like me," the 37-year-old left-hander once joked.

She said that shooting competition is like "traveling in circle". "There are a group of girls who could shoot quite well," she said. "I will just do my best."

Wang Yifu, head coach of China's shooting squad, once said that "Pfeilschifter shoots better than anyone else".

Coach Hubert Bichler expected his student to break the jinx, saying "it's time for Sonja to get a medal."

Pfeilschifter, in near-perfect condition after sweeping four gold medals at three World Cups, just improved the 10-meter rifle world record by 0.1 point in May.

The previous mark of 504.9 points, held by Chinese Du Li, had been equaled by Czech Katerina Emmons at the Good Luck Beijing World Cup in April, an Olympic test event.

Better known as Kurkova before marrying American shooter Matthew Emmons, the 25-year-old beauty was a bronze medalist at the Athens Olympics and the winner of the Good Luck Beijing test event.

"Everybody comes here with the same goal," she said, admitting she was in good form.

To participate in both women's 10-meter air rifle and 50-meter rifle three positions events, Emmons attached more importance to the former. "This is my personal interest," she said.

Last year saw disappearance of star Russian riflist Lyoubov Galkina due to her pregnancy. She was edged to runner-up by Du at the Athens Olympics at the last shot but later refreshed the Olympic record in the 50-meter rifle three positions.

Staging a comeback this year, the 35-year-old new mother has been catching up with decent performances. "I am regaining my sharpness," she said.

"My rivals are strong and the competition could be intense," she said.

As the Olympic Games is about to start, Chinese people are crossing fingers for a good start of a gold spree on their own soil.

Chinese expectations for the first Olympic gold have been affected more or less, after Du's world record was equaled and then broken.

"Du may be under enormous pressure to compete in her own country," Emmons once commented.

Indeed, the slender Chinese, who impressed the world with her beaming smile on the Olympic podium, didn't seem to be in good shape this year. She just grabbed a bronze in the women's 10-meter air rifle in three World Cups.

However, Wang Yifu has confidence in her. "The contest could be difficult, but Du is hopeful to defend her title," he said.

"I believe that I have the ability," said the 26-year-old after the Beijing World Cup. "Maybe this will be my Olympics and I enjoy the pressure."

And don't forget Du's teammate Zhao Yinghui, who has taken several World Cup golds and is keen to nail an Olympic medal that had eluded her twice.

"She is in good shape," Wang said of Zhao.

The women's 10-meter air rifle competition is scheduled to start on Saturday morning, with a field of 49 shooters from 33 countries and regions.

"At least 10 people could win this gold," Katerina Emmons once said after the Beijing World Cup, "I have good chance, as much as theirs."

"It is the first competition leading to any medals for the Olympic Games, so it is important for every nation," said Claudia Kulla, a German shooting official.

"You don't know who is going to make it on that day," she said, "it's a bit like lottery."

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)