Xuan Vinh Hoang has written himself into the history books by winning Vietnam’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.
The 41-year-old shooter fended off strong competition from host nation Brazil’s Felipe Wu, 24, to win the men’s 10-meter air pistol event at Rio 2016.
“Making this gold medal is a life memory, never forget this,” the military officer said at a press conference following his victory. “Because [it is the] first time making a gold medal for Vietnam.”
“The Brazilian shooter [was] very fast and stronger, but I think only, ‘Try, try, try,'” he added. “On the last shot I don’t think gold or silver. I think only, 'Try.'”
Wu, who was competing in his first Olympic Games, lost out on the top podium spot by just four-tenths of a point. But despite not taking the title, he still said he was thrilled with his performance.
“I am just happy,” he told reporters. “There are no words to describe how happy I am. We work very hard, and everything is worth the pain. Pain on my shoulder, pain in my back, but I will forget about all this pain now.”
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