Beaten, but defending champion Jasmine Ser says she is not disappointed

Beaten, but defending champion Jasmine Ser says she is not disappointed

The Barry Buddon Shooting Centre witnessed the Republic's first gold medal of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on Friday, with Teo Shun Xie coming from behind to win the women's 10-metre air pistol event.

There was the promise of more joy there yesterday, but there was to be no heroics.

Indeed, Singapore's shooters ended the day with a whimper.

Gai Bin and Lim Swee Hon finished 11th (567 points) and 16th (562), respectively, failing to even qualify for final of the men's 10m air pistol event.

It was left to the women to attempt to once again deliver the goods yesterday.

POISE

Jasmine Ser, the defending champion in the 10m air rifle competition, lined up in the final alongside teammate and talented youngster Martina Veloso.

But both Singaporeans came up short.

Martina, 14, displayed great poise to stave off elimination after 12 shots in the final, but could stay alive for only two more shots, ending her participation in the final in fifth place on 143.4 points after 14 shots.

Ser, 23, went only a step further, falling out of medal contention in fourth spot, on 163.6 points (16 shots), behind a dominant India that secured a one-two finish.

Apurvi Chandela struck gold with 206.7 points, while her countryman Ayonika Paul's 204.9 was enough for second spot, ahead of Malaysia's Nur Suryani (184.4 after 18 shots).

"I'm not disappointed. Honestly speaking, I couldn't carry the thought of being defending champion going into the event, because if I did, I probably wouldn't even have made it to fourth," Ser told The New Paper, minutes after the event. "There are some technical factors that I have to improve on, and that is important so I learn from each experience."

Ser has two more events - the 50m air rifle prone, and the 50m air rifle, three positions (50m 3P) - to go at these Games.

"India are very strong and athletes from other countries could be good as well. Placing any expectations on myself will not help," said Ser.

"I will just go out there, do my best and see how well I can do."

She was well impressed by the performance of compatriot Martina.

"She's so young and has already achieved so much," said Ser of Martina, who already has a World Cup win under her belt.

"She's going to come out of this being a strong and composed shooter."

PAIRING UP

Ser is hoping that sometime in the future, the two of them could pair up as a team.

The 50m 3P has a three-person team event, and she is already looking to recruit Martina, whose Commonwealth Games came to an end after the 10m air rifle event yesterday.

"Taking part in only one event allows you to focus all your training and energy," said Ser "But Martina's really good, and I've already asked her to consider taking up the 50m 3P, so we could maybe shoot as a team.

"I think she'll be great."

At press time last night, Teo, who has won the Republic's only Games medal to date, was poised to participate in the semi-finals of the women's 25m pistol event.

I'm not disappointed. Honestly speaking, I couldn't carry the thought of being defending champion going into the event, because if I did, I probably wouldn't even have made it to fourth. - Singapore shooter Jasmine Ser


This article was first published on July 27, 2014.
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