Thrasher claims first Rio gold for USA in shooting

USA's gold medallist Virginia Thrasher poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 10m air rifle shooting event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Pascal GUYOT

USA’s gold medallist Virginia Thrasher poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women’s 10m air rifle shooting event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Pascal GUYOT

American teenager Virginia Thrasher claimed the first Rio Olympics gold medal in the shooting on Saturday.

The 19-year-old won the women’s 10m air rifle title at the Deodoro shooting venue, holding her nerve to see off China’s Du Li on the final shot.

She finished with 208 points, one clear of 2004 Athens champion Du as Olympic chief Thomas Bach looked on in the crowd.

The bronze medal went to China’s defending champion Yi Siling.

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