Germany's 20-year old finalist Andre Link, at his first appearance in a world cup final-8, won the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men final on his home turf, at the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup in Munich.
Starting-off the final with a strong Kneeling position (154.6 points), the young German athlete immediately jumped up in the lead, with 1.6 points of advantage on France's Alexis Raynaud, following him in second.
Passing through the Prone position smoothly, with 155.5 points, Link increased his lead up to 2.3 points, securing then the brightest medal with a strong Standing position (148.6 points) and a total score of 458.7 points.
Finishing atop of the podium, the German shooter also secured a Rio 2016 Quota place, a qualification slot for the next Olympics.
“It feels awesome. It's only my second participation in an ISSF World Cup, and my first final. Coming out of it with a Gold medal around my neck is just great. It's unbelievable, I have no words.” Link said after the match.
“I took part in several juniors' finals in the last years, so I am kind of used to it, but I did not expect to win. Today's score is probably the best I have ever shot.”
“Winning Gold in Munich means a lot. There's a lot more pressure here, everyone is here watching me... I feel really proud now.”
The top-ranked Chinese shooter Yang Haoran (19) finished in second behind Link, with a total score of 457.0 points. In spite of shooting a new Junior Final World Record, the Chinese athlete could not catch up today's winner, as his Kneeling and Prone positions turned out to be weaker than those shot by his opponent.
Russia's 25-year old Nazar Louginets (25), the world record holder, currently ranked 7th in the world, followed the Link and Yang in third place, securing Bronze with 444.8 points.
France's Alexis Raynaud (20) chased Link through the Kneeling and Prone positions, dropping then down in the Standing series to finish in fourth with 435.0 points. But even if he did not clinch a medal, the young finalists gained the applauses of the spectators as he secure the second Olympic Quota place up for grabs today.
The reigning Olympic Champion Niccolò Campriani of Italy (27) made it into today's final, but finished far form the medals, in seventh place, with 403.9 points, and had to leave the match at the first elimination together with Milenko Sebic of Serbia (30), eighth with 403.0 points.