Having won the 10m air-rifle title on Friday, Sidi once again showed steady hands firing 99.1 points for a combined total of 1,273.1 to leave the field behind.

Sidi had entered the final two points behind Chinese Qiu Jian who topped the preliminary round score with 1,176 points.

However, Qiu, who had no world ranking, was let down by his inexperience when it counted, shooting beyond 10 points just twice from 10 attempts in the final. He, however, secured the silver with 1,272.6.

Vebjoern Berg of Norway took the bronze after firing 1,267.9.

American Matthew Emmons, a winner at the 2004 championships here in Bangkok, made it to the final in seventh place but his final highest score of 99.6 propelled him to a fourth-place finish with 1,266.9.

Local rifle expert Tavarit Majchacheep was nowhere near his best and failed to make it to the final. He finished a disappointing 47th after managing to score just 1,150 points.

Two gold medals are up for grabs today, in the women's 50m rifle three positions, and the men's 10m air pistol.

 Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation