Five shooting events to look out for at Incheon 2014

Fresh from the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships in Suhl, Germany, in July, many of the medallists are now chalked to enter the 2014 Incheon Asian Para Games which start on Saturday (18 October).

A plethora of shooters who made it onto the podium at Suhl 2014, including those from South Korea who topped the medals table, will continue their preparations for Rio 2016.

Here are five events to look out for at the shooting, which runs from 19-23 October at the Ongnyeon International Shooting Range.

1. R4 (mixed 10 air rifle standing SH2)

At Suhl 2014, South Korea’s Youngjun Jeon beat his compatriot and Paralympic champion Juyoung Kang to the gold medal with a new finals world record.

It was an intense affair, with Kang leading into the latter stages until remarkable shooting from Jeon led to him to seal his first world title.

In addition to the late comeback, Jeon’s victory represents a five-place improvement on his London 2012 finish.

The pair will go head-to-head once again at Incheon 2014.

2. R8 (women’s 50m rifle three positions)

Chinese Paralympic champion Cuiping Zhang held her form from London 2012 to seal R8 gold in Suhl, also helping her country to secure the team title.

She will be joined on the line by South Korea’s Yunri Lee, who won bronze in this event to improve on her fourth place from London 2012.

3. R7 (men’s 50m rifle three positions)

Sweden’s Jonas Jacobsson has very much dominated this event over the years but has recently hinted at retirement ahead of Rio 2016.

That could leave the way clear for his training partner, Abdullah Sultan Alaryani of the United Arab Emirates, who with the absence of Jacobsson in Incheon will be looking to hone his skills.

Alaryani broke the qualification world record (1175) at Suhl on his way to winning the silver medal behind Jacobsson, showing his great potential to take the throne.

South Korea’s Worlds bronze medallist Jinho Park is not to be discounted, and China’s Paralympic bronze winner Chao Dong could also be a contender.

4. R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1)

In the case of R3 it is Park who carries the form into Incheon, winning gold ahead of third-placed Alaryani.

With that result, the pair caused a shock by beating two of three London medallists onto the podium including China’s Cuiping Zhang who will also shoot in Incheon.

5. P2 (women’s 10m air pistol SH1)

Iranian Sareh Javanmardidomani has set the bar high in this event, setting a new Asian record (195.6) at Suhl 2014 to win her first world title.

The 29-year-old finished in third place at the last Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China, in 2010 and the years since have seen her consistently finish on the podium at IPC Shooting World Cups.

Competition in this case will come from her teammate Alieh Mahmoudikordkheili and Myungsoon Park, both of whom who finished in the top 10 at London 2012.

Over 80 athletes from 18 countries will enter shooting para-sport competitions at Incheon 2014.