VietNamNet Bridge – Youngster Ha Minh Thanh surprised teammates by winning gold in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event at the ongoing National Top Shooters Tournament on Tuesday.


Crack shot: Youngster Ha Minh Thanh hits the bull's eyes to win gold in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event at the National Top Shooters Tournament. (Photo: VNS)
The 27-year old's score of 589 points surpassed the Olympics record set by Keith Sanderson of the US by six points and was just two points short of the world record set by Alexei Klimov of Russia and Germany's Christian Reitz.


Nguyen Thi Nhung, head coach of the national shooting team, said: "In big tournaments, the level of competition makes it hard for athletes to perform at their best. At this event, Thanh was in familiar conditions and was therefore more relaxed. As a result, he performed outstandingly. It just shows what he is really capable of."


At the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, last November, Thanh won a silver medal. He finished fifth in the same discipline at the recent International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Changwon, South Korea.


In the women's 50m rifle event, Pham Thi Phuong broke the national record to win the gold medal with 582 points.


More than 300 shooters were competing in the event, which took place at Ha Noi-based National Sports Centre.


Eight teams – Hai Phong, Hai Duong, the Army, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, the Ministry of Public Security, Vinh Phuc and Ha Noi – are competing for 18 sets of medals.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News