Richter claims Euro air rifle gold
03/03/2013 01:06
“Richter has begun his road to Rio 2016 by winning the Championships and that is a truly impressive accomplishment.”
SERGEY RICHTER listens to Hatikva draped in the Israeli flag in Odense, Denmark. Photo: Lior Medalel, Courtesy
Sergey Richter put the disappointment of the London Olympics well and truly
behind him on Friday, winning the gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle event at
the European Championships in Odense, Denmark.
The 23-year-old shooter
came agonizingly close to reaching the event’s final in London, missing out on a
place in the last eight by a single position and a single point, recording a
result of 595 out of 600.
He only advanced to the final from sixth place
overall in Odense, but he was on top form when it mattered most, recording a
result of 207.3 points in the final to claim the gold.
“I didn’t expect
to win the European Championships,” Richter admitted. “I entered the event in
good form after a couple months of hard work training with the Russian national
team and my new coach. This achievement makes it all worth while.”
The
director of Israel’s Elite Sport Department, Gili Lostig, was delighted with the
consistent progress being made by Richter.
“Richter has begun his road to
Rio 2016 by winning the European Championships and that is a truly impressive
accomplishment,” Lostig said.