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To say that Du Li "choked" in women's air rifle is kind of a joke. She shot a 399 out of 400 going into the final. You needed a 397 just to make the final. She did drop an uncharacteristic 2 points in the final, but that was moot anyways. Katerina Emmons shot a perfect 400/400 and won the final with a 103.5. Nobody else stood a chance.
To even call Du Li a favorite going in is kind of a wash as well. There have been people at the collegiate level to shoot 400/400 air scores. Yes, it's a world class score, but many of the female competitors were capable of or have shot those scores, including Jamie Beyerle and Emily Caruso, both of whom I am friends with and have been teammates with in years past.
I will agree that it was exceptionally difficult for her to have lost that event given the standards she was being held to. Women's Air Rifle is always the first event, so there is that prestige associated with winning the first medal of the games.
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Living in the United Socialist States of America.
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