BEIJING, Aug 9: Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic derailed host China's hopes of a golden start to the 29th Olympic Games when she won the first gold medal on Saturday with a convincing victory in the women's 10m air rifle event.

Emmons, who met and married US shooter Matt Emmons after winning bronze at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, equalled a world record score of 400 in the qualification round and was near flawless in the final to win gold medal a score of 503.5 — a new Olympic record.

“I was so nervous,” she told reporters after the event that traditionally opens the Olympics. “Our heart rate was so high. I'm seriously happy it is over and I hold gold.”

Du Li of China, the heavy favourite whose gold four years ago at the start of the 2004 Olympics led a Chinese medal winning streak, wept after finishing fifth. She had won the gold medal in Athens and had been favourite at the Olympics at home.

“I feel really bad for Du Li, I do — and I'd like to give these flowers to her because she can shoot way better than she did today,” Emmons said, holding the flowers she was given at the medal ceremony led by IOC president Jacque Rogge.

“Sorry, the Chinese press is putting a lot of pressure on Chinese athletes,” Emmons added. “I had a hard time handling my own pressure. It's obvious to see there's a lot of pressure [on Du] everywhere, every day in training, all around her.”

Lioubov Galkina of Russia won the silver medal with a score of 502.1. She had also won silver in Athens. Snjezana Pejcic of Croatia took bronze with 500.9.

Emmons hit the bullseye on all 40 of her qualifying round shots for a perfect 400 score. Du had also been perfect before getting 9 on her 34th shot in qualifying to finish with 399 points. She seemed dejected after that result.

Emmons was previously known as Katerina Kurkova. —Reuters