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Yi claims gold at women's 10m rifle at Guangzhou Asiad

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World-record holder Yi Siling diversified her trophy collection by claiming her first Asiad gold at women's 10m rifle event at Guangzhou Asiad on Saturday.

Yi won Munich shooting World Championships three months ago by breaking the world record, and she almost did it again.

She got a final score of 504.9 points, 2.1 more than her teammate Wu Liuxi. With one shot remaining, Yi was still possible for a new world record. She needed a 10.8-plus performance, but the final shot turned out to be 10.0.

"I had a great opportunity," said Yi after the match. "I just thought too much about the new record."

However, Yi wasn't disappointed, for it was her first individual gold medal at Asian Games.

It was Yi's fourth straight victory over teammate Wu Liuxi, though Wu was five years older.

"Today's performance was my normal standard, but she was so good," said Wu. "I had a lot to learn from her."

Yi enters the final with 399 points, one ahead of Wu's 398 points. Yi maintained her top form at the final, keeping eight of her first nine shots above 10.5. Wu was also stable with seven 10.5-or-better shots, but a 9.9 at the fourth shot pull her out of the gold-pursuit.

Yi got herself a chance for new world record before the final shot, but she didn't seize the chance, concluding her match with 504.9 points to grab the title.

As a 21-year-old girl who picked up shooting only four years ago, Yi made huge progress all-through these years. Her outstanding performance made China the strongest team on women's 10m air rifle event in the world.

But she was still eager for an Olympic gold.

"I'm still in the learning process," said Yi. "I out-performed today. That high score is not on my usual training level."

China currently had four top shooters on women's 10m rifle event, but there are only two berths for London Olympic. "They have to do well in our qualification matches," said Wang Yifu, head coach of China. "No one now is certain for London at this time."