Rio 2016 preview: R5 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2)

21.08.2016

Ukranian Vasyl Kovalchuk has the most momentum heading into Rio as he seeks to defend his Paralympic title.

Rio 2016 preview: R5 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2) © •

Serbian Dragan Ristic is currently ranked No. 1 in R5 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2), but the race to the top is tight.

World champion back in 2010, Ristic did not reach the podium in his Paralympic debut at London 2012. But Rio 2016 looks promising for the defending European champion. However, defending Paralympic champion Vasyl Kovalchuk is seeking another successive gold medal, and he has been one of the most consistent shooters in the event.

The Ukrainian had a solid 2015-16 World Cup season, finishing on the podium each time in the R5 race. He finished behind Ristic at the 2013 Europeans.

Finland’s Minna Leinonen is the reigning world champion. Taking gold on her Paralympic debut at Athens 2004, the 35-year-old can also contend for the top of the podium. Great Britain’s No. 2 ranked Ryan Cockbill has also looked sharped in R5 this past World Cup season.

You can catch the R5 event on 13 September at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. All shooting Para sport events will be contested at the Olympic Shooting Centre.

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source - www.paralympic.org/news/rio-2016-preview-r5-mixed-10m-air-rifle-prone-sh2