RIO DE JANEIRO: Italian Niccolo Campriani, silver medallist in London 2012, went one better here on Monday when claiming gold in the men’s 10m air rifle at the Rio Olympics.

Campriani got the better of Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish, with Vladimir Maslennikov of Russia in bronze at the Deodoro shooting range.

Italy’s third gold of the Games put them level with powerhouses the US, China and Australia at the top of the early medals table.

Campriani’s luck was finally in at the third attempt in the Olympic 10m air rifle after his second in London and 12th in Beijing.

The 2012 world shooter of the year began slowly, leaping into the lead with five shots of the indoor final remaining. He nailed the title by 1.5 points with a 10.7 score, only a pencil dot off a perfect hit.

India’s Abhinav Bindra just missed out on a podium finish in fourth. Among those who failed to match Campriani’s pinpoint accuracy and steady hand in Deodoro were Hungary’s world record holder Peter Sidi, who finished fifth.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2016