In a thrilling display of precision and composure, India’s Ramita Jindal narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the women’s 10m air rifle final at the ongoing Olympics in Chateauroux. Competing in her maiden Games, the 20-year-old from Haryana showcased her exceptional talent, finishing seventh in a high-quality field.
Ramita’s journey began with a promising fifth-place finish in the qualifications, securing her a spot in the eight-woman final. Starting strongly, she fired an impressive series of shots, including a perfect 10.9. However, a costly 9.7 on her tenth shot dropped her to seventh place after the first stage.
Undeterred, Ramita fought back with two solid shots of 10.4 and 10.5, keeping her hopes alive. As the competition progressed, the pressure intensified, with elimination beginning from the 12th shot. Ramita found herself tied with France’s Oceanne Muller for seventh place, necessitating a single-shot shoot-off.
Under immense pressure, Muller shot a near-perfect 10.8, leaving Ramita with the daunting task of hitting the bull’s eye. Despite taking her time, Ramita’s shot fell just short, scoring an impressive 10.5 but ultimately not enough to advance.
The final moments of the match were equally dramatic, as China’s Yuting Huang, the reigning Asian Games champion, was edged out by South Korea’s 16-year-old Hyojin Ban in a nerve-wracking shoot-off. Ban’s ice-cold composure and solid 10.4 in the shoot-off proved decisive, securing her the Olympic gold medal.
Ramita’s performance in her maiden Olympics is a testament to her talent and determination. Despite narrowly missing out on a medal, she has gained invaluable experience and will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with in future competitions.
