Korean team's first medal, shooting Lee Yun-ri, women's 10m air rifle silver medal

Aug 30, 2024

Korean women's shooting veteran ace Lee Yun-ri won the first medal for the Korean team at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Lee Yun-ri won the silver medal with 246.8 in the final round of the women's 10-meter air rifle (sports grade SH1) held at Chatoru Shooting Center in France on the afternoon of the 30th (Korea time). Lee Yun-ri smiles brightly with a Paralympic mascot, Priju, and a silver medal at the awards ceremony. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

The first medal of the Korean team came out at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Lee Yun-ri (49, Wando County Office), a female shooting star, shot a silver medal. It's a valuable achievement, but it's also a shame. 'Last shot' is because the color of the medal has changed from gold to silver.

Lee Yun-ri won the silver medal in the final round of the women's 10-meter air rifle (sports grade SH1) at the Paris Paralympics shooting at Chatoru Shooting Center in France on the afternoon of the 30th (Korea time). The gold medal went to India's Avani Rekara, who won 249.7 points, and the bronze medal went to Mona Agalwal of India, who scored 228.7.

Lee Yun-ri missed the gold medal unfortunately. He was 0.8 points ahead of Lekara until his 23rd shot. However, he allowed a turnaround by shooting 6.8 points from his 24th shot. It is a difficult score to come out of a player at the Lee Yun-ri level. It was a fatal mistake. Lee Yun-ri recorded 10.0 or higher in all of the previous 23 outbursts.

Korean women's shooting veteran ace Lee Yun-ri is carefully kicking off in the final round of the women's 10m air rifle (sports grade SH1) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Chatoru Shooting Center in France on the afternoon of the 30th (Korea time). Lee Yun-ri won the silver medal with 246.8 points, becoming the first winner of the Korean team's medal at the Paris Paralympics. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

The air rifle final was conducted in such a way that eight players fired 10 shots first, then two shots later, and the player with the lowest total score was eliminated one by one. Lee marked first among eight players with 104.2 points in her first 10 shots. Since then, Lee Yun-ri has engaged in a fierce lead fight with Lekara and Agalwal.

Lee Yun-ri was a little behind as his concentration fell in the middle of the game, but he showed a scary background. He shot a perfect 10.9 on his 19th shot and rose back to the lead with a 10.8 high score on his 20th shot. Lee Yun-ri, who gained momentum, scored 10.8 points in succession in the 20th and 21st rapid attacks. In the 22nd shot, Lee Yun-ri and Rekara tied for first place with 229.3 points, and third-place Agalwal was eliminated.

Now, the gold and silver medals are decided by the fight between the two. Lee Yun-ri scored a high of 10.7 first in his 23rd outburst. Lekara scored only 9.9 points. There was a pretty big difference of 0.8 points. Lee Yun-ri was likely to win the gold medal if she maintained her pace so far. In the 24th shot, Lekara drilled 10.5 points first. If Lee Yun-ri shoots more than 9.8 points, he will win the gold medal.

Korean women's shooting veteran ace Lee Yun-ri is breathing with her eyes closed in the final round of the women's 10m air rifle (sports grade SH1) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Chatoru Shooting Center in France on the afternoon of the 30th (Korea time). Lee Yun-ri won the silver medal with 246.8 points, becoming the first winner of the Korean team's medal at the Paris Paralympics. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

However, there was a completely unexpected result. After Lee Yun-ri finished his outburst, 6.8 points appeared on the monitor. It was a score that was not easy to see. Veteran marksman Lee Yun-ri, who participated in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics for the first time, set a world record and won a gold medal, smiled awkwardly as if he were embarrassed.

The cause of the incredible mistake is due to 'rigidity', a common symptom in athletes with spinal cord disorders. The muscles suddenly harden and it becomes difficult to control. Lee Yun-ri failed to win a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics because he was unable to shoot properly due to muscle stiffness during the game.

Lee Yun-ri said, "Even at the Tokyo Games, I couldn't win a medal because of the leg stiffness"But this time, Kang-jik came at the end and I was able to win a silver medal." Just before Lee Yun-ri fired his last shot, there were two applause from the stands, and when asked if this had an impact, he said, "Not at all," adding, "I was able to enjoy the competition thanks to the support of the crowd," he said.

Lee Yun-ri said, `I am grateful that Lee Yun-ri, who is only a small person, can convey great hope and joy to Korea.' `It would be better if it was a gold medal (laughs), but I used to think to myself that even if it was a silver medal, it would be satisfactory, but I unexpectedly won a silver medal.' I'm happy, and it's good. It's a shame that 6.8 came out at the end, but I'm still grateful to have achieved my goal."

wman@sportschosun.com