It's all down to Ashley now - Sporting Shooter

Australia’s last two chances for Paralympic medals rest on the steady aim of Ashley Adams, who is preparing now for two more events before shooting ends in London.

China took another gold medal last night, this time in the mixed 25m Pistol SH1 when Li Jianfei put on a magnificent performance to come from a seven-point qualifying deficit to win by five.

Li shot an outstanding 203.3 in the final, overhauling top qualifier Sergey Malyshev (Russia) who was lucky to retain silver after recording a low 191.5.

Russia’s Valery Ponomarenko posted the second-best score in the finals, climbing to the bronze medal position.

Li called his qualifying effort “a bad performance”.

“I knew I had to do better this afternoon and I’m glad that I did,” he said after his victory.

Adams is the only Australian shooter still to compete at the 2012 Games.

He is aiming to regain his form when he lines up for the mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1 competition this evening, and will get a final chance tomorrow in the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Position SH1.

He has not been happy with his performances so far, which have not matched his pre-Games form.

He qualified 15th and 16th respectively in his earlier appearances in the 10m air rifle prone and standing events, despite being highly rated to make the finals.

China is ahead on the shooting medal count, with three golds and a bronze. Natalie Smith is so far Australia’s only shooting medal winner, taking bronze.

Mick Matheson

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Mick grew up with guns and journalism, and has included both in his career. A life-long hunter, he has long-distant military experience and holds licence categories A, B and H. In the glory days of print media, he edited six national magazines in total, and has written about, photographed and filmed firearms and hunting for more than 15 years.