Rio Olympics 2016: US Teen, Ginny Thrasher Wins First Gold Medal

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Rio Olympics 2016: US Teen, Ginny Thrasher Wins First Gold Medal

America’s Ginny Thrasher won the first gold medal of the Rio Olympic Games with a surprise victory in the women’s 10m air rifle.

The 19-year-old secured her first major international victory, scoring 208.0 to leave China’s 2006 world champion Du Li with silver.

Du’s compatriot Yi Siling, the defending champion, took bronze.

Jen McIntosh secured the best-ever finish for a British woman – 15th out of 51 in the qualification round.

The five-time Commonwealth medallist overcame a rifle malfunction to produce a strong finish and was just 1.2 points from securing a place in the final.

She will return to compete in her favoured 50m rifle three positions event on Thursday.