Taipei, March 3 (CNA) Taiwan sailed past Singapore by eight points to clinch bronze in the 10m Air Pistol Team Women event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday, securing a top-three win in the team's first World Cup tournament of the season.
Taiwanese Olympians Wu Chia-ying (吳佳穎), Tien Chia-chen (田家榛), and Yu Ai-wen (余艾玟) defeated Singapore's Teo Shun Xie, Teh Xiu Hong, and Amanda Sao Keng Mak 16-8 in the bronze medal match that was held at the Egypt International Olympic City Shooting Range.
Taiwan, competing under the name Chinese Taipei, gained an early 8-0 lead before Singapore rallied to reduce the deficit to 8-6.
From there, with the pressure on Mak to hit at least over a 10 to level out the score, she could only hit 8.6, snapping her team's six-point streak.
Singapore shot back again to pocket the next two points before Taiwan lit the touchpaper to clinch a 6-0 run, including a thrilling win in the deciding round with just a half a point 29.0 over 28.5 to wrap up the match 16-8.
After the match, Yu posted on Facebook photos of the Taiwan team holding bronze medals.
"This is my first-ever World Cup medal," Yu said on Facebook.
Steven Chen (陳士魁), president of the Chinese Taipei Shooting Association praised the Taiwan team for their performance.
"They are great," Chen said to the media.
Due to the impact of COVID-19 in the past two years, there have been many variables in going abroad to participate in competitions, Chen said.
But Taiwan will still aim to compete in a minimum of three World Cup events this year because the athletes need the experience at international tournaments, Chen said.
However, Chen reminded athletes to take all the necessary precautions and to protect themselves when taking part in overseas tournaments.
The ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo kicked off on Feb. 26 and will run until March 8.
Wu, Tien, and Yu are also expected to participate in the 25m Pistol Women singles event Thursday.
