China’s Cai Triumphs After Favorite Falters

When the favorite for the men’s 10-meter air rifle bowed out with a mechanical failure, Cai Yalin of China took full advantage.

Cai won the gold medal with an Olympic-record score of 696.4.

He broke the mark of 695.7 set in 1996 by this year’s silver medalist, Artem Khadjibekov of Russia. Khadjibekov scored 695.1 this time. Russia’s Yevgeny Aleinikov had 693.8 points to earn the bronze.

The favorite, Dirk Boschman of the Netherlands, did not reach the final after his rifle failed. “I had zero pressure, the shot was always going to go wayward,” said Boschman, who scored a six on his 57th shot after two perfect 100 scores in previous strings.

Daina Gudzineviciute of Lithuania won the gold medal in women’s trap shooting, which made its Olympic debut. Delphine Racinet of France took the silver medal and Gao E of China the bronze.