In our countdown to the Tokyo Olympics we are regularly profiling some of the biggest international medal contenders at the upcoming quadrennial event. Today we feature one of the biggest shooting stars on the Olympic stage - Jin Jong-oh.
Jin Jong-oh
Date of Birth: September 24, 1979
Age: 41
Birth Place: Chuncheon, Gangwon
Sport: Shooting
Event: 50m pistol, 10m air pistol
Jin Jong-oh (Twitter Photo)
Major Achievements:
* 50m pistol gold in 2016 Rio Olympics
* 50m pistol gold in 2012 London Olympics
* 10m air pistol gold in 2012 London Olympics
* 50m pistol gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics
* 10m air pistol silver in 2008 Beijing Olympics
* 10m air pistol silver in 2004 Athens Olympics
Jin Jong-oh (Twitter Photo)
Jin Jong-oh has already cemented his place as the most successful individual shooter in the history of the Olympics, with as many as six medals so far (4 gold and 2 silver). The 41 year old South Korean will now look to add another feather to his already illustrious cap when he hits the shooting range at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8.
The 41-year-old Jin made history in Rio in 2016 by winning the men's 50 metre pistol event to become the first shooter in Olympic history to win the gold in a specific event at three Olympic Games in a row.
Jin, who also won the 10m pistol gold at the 2012 London Games, will be aiming for a fifth Olympic gold in Tokyo which might be the swansong Games of his career. The Korean shooter also has two Olympic silver medals to his name.
Image credit: Jin Jong-oh's Instagram
Since the 50m pistol event has been dropped from the Olympics programme for Tokyo, Jin will be competing only in the 10m air pistol event. He grabbed the last spot available in the event in the Olympic trials. In this event, he will be up against India's Saurabh Chaudhary, who beat Jin in the 2018 Asian Games to clinch the gold. Jin had finished fifth in that competition.
The Saurabh vs Jin battle could be an enthralling encounter to watch at the Tokyo Games.
The Olympics though are a different platform altogether and Jin is an Olympic legend. He has also traditionally reigned supreme at the World Championships with four gold, two silver and as many bronze medals. He has also won as many as 11 Asian Games medals, including 3 golds.
Watch out for Jing Jong Oh in Tokyo as he aims for his seventh Olympic medal.
