BEIJING: Rising star Pang Wei added his name to the rich heritage of Chinese pistol shooters by cruising to the Olympic 10m title yesterday.

Pang, 22, the reigning world champion, finished four points ahead of silver-medallist Jin Jong-Oh of South Korea at the Beijing Shooting Hall here.

North Korea’s Kim Jong-Su claimed the bronze medal, while American Jason Turner finished fourth after a shootout with compatriot Brian Beaman when both finished with identical scores.

Pang’s victory made amends for the embarrassing loss by compatriot Du Li earlier in the day.

Du, the defending champion in the women’s 10m Air Rifle, finished a poor fifth as Czech rival Katerina Emmons stole her thunder by winning the first gold medal of these Games.

However, Pang said he had no idea that Du had failed to win a medal.

“I don’t know what happened in the morning because there is a bit of information control in our team,” he said.

“You are encouraged not to worry about what the others are saying or doing. We have to focus on our own performance and this helps me to relax and not come under pressure.” Pang, who won the world championships in Croatia in 2006, was the undisputed master of the show in the absence of two fancied Russians, Vladimir Gontcharov and Athens bronze-medalist Vladimir Isakov.

Isakov is competing in only the 50m Pistol event this time, while Gontcharovo did not make the trip to Beijing for unspecified reasons.

“Winning the world championships was important, but the Olympics is the highest level of sport when all eyes are on you,” said Pang.

“It is difficult to control your emotions at the Olympics. It is such a great feeling to win.”

Pang’s victory was mastermined by legendary Chinese coach Wang Yifu, who won the same event in Athens four years ago before retiring to fulfilL his dream of coaching the young home squad at the Olympics.

Pang could not have asked for a better mentor than Wang, who remains China’s most experienced Olympian in any sport with six successive appearances between 1984 and 2004.

Wang won two Olympic golds, three silvers and one bronze over the 20 years he competed.

Another Chinese pistol great Xu Haifeng had won his country’s first ever Olympic gold medal when he bagged the 50m event at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.

“Both Xu and Wang are an inspiration for all of us, but in the end it is on you to give your best performance,” said Pang.

“I am glad I lived up to everyone’s expectations.”