- Serbia’s Zorana Arunović and Damir Mikec win gold in the air pistol mixed team event.
- Türkiye’s Yusuf Dikeç and Sevval Ilayda Tarhan secure the nation’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal.
- India claims bronze with Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh defeating the Republic of Korea.
Serbia‘s Zorana Arunović and Damir Mikec staged a remarkable comeback to win gold in the air pistol mixed team event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Trailing 8-2 against Türkiye’s Yusuf Dikeç and Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, the Serbian pair rallied to secure a 16-14 victory.
This triumph marked a significant improvement from their fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Arunović and Mikec Claim Gold for Serbia in Dramatic Air Pistol Final at Paris 2024
In the bronze medal match, India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh defeated the Republic of Korea’s Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10. The Indian duo established an early lead and successfully fended off a comeback attempt from their Korean opponents. This bronze medal added to India’s impressive shooting achievements at the Paris 2024 Games.
The final match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Türkiye initially dominating the early rounds. However, Arunović and Mikec displayed exceptional composure and skill, gradually closing the gap and taking the lead at a critical juncture. Their clutch performances in the final rounds secured Serbia’s first gold medal in this event.
In the battle for the bronze, India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh showcased their prowess by defeating the Republic of Korea’s Lee Wonho and Oh Ye Jin 16-10. The Indian shooters took control early in the match and maintained their advantage despite a late surge from the Korean team. This victory added another medal to India’s growing tally at the Paris 2024 Games.
The historic nature of this event was underscored by Türkiye’s accomplishment. Dikeç and Tarhan’s silver medal marked Türkiye’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal, highlighting the progress and potential of Turkish athletes in the sport. Despite falling just short of gold, their achievement was celebrated as a significant milestone for their nation.
The air pistol mixed team event at Paris 2024 not only highlighted the skill and determination of the athletes but also marked significant milestones for Serbia, Türkiye, and India, showcasing the global growth and competitiveness of Olympic shooting.
“The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.” — Ernie Banks
