(LEAD) (Asiad) Kim Ji-eun gets rifle bronze for S. Korea's 9th shooting medal

On September 26, South Korean archer Kim Ji-eun clinched a bronze medal in the 50-meter rifle 3 positions event during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The bronze marked the nation's ninth achievement in the sport at the competition. Kim achieved 348.4 points, slightly trailing China's Han Jiayu by a mere 0.2 point. This marked the first medal for South Korea in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions since Jeong Mi-ra's silver in 2014.

Kim, 23, expressed her surprise, stating she was speechless upon learning of her medal. She emphasized the emergence of new talent in the sport. In the eight-shooter final, participants fired 10 shots each in kneeling and prone positions within a 22-minute limit. The competition then shifted to the standing position. After the initial 10 shots, the two lowest-ranked shooters were removed.

Subsequent eliminations followed, with the final two shooters standing after 34 shots. Kim scored 103.3 points in the kneeling series, placing second overall with 206.3 points, 0.2 points behind Zhang.

During the standing phase, Kim initially fell to fifth place at 256.3 points after the first five shots but quickly rose to fourth at 307.6 points, edging 0.2 points ahead of Tilottama Sen of India. She then soared to second place, scoring 318.1 points, 0.2 points behind Sen after hitting 10.5 points. However, Kim's next shot fell short at 9.5 points, dropping her back to fourth place at 327.6 points.

Kim needed to outscore Sen with her next shot to secure the bronze, which she achieved with 10.5 points, moving her to third and ensuring at least a bronze medal. Sen was eliminated in the process. Kim then took the lead, scoring 10.3 points and securing the bronze, while Han achieved a record-setting gold medal.