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Olympic mark

Grozdeva sets record in 25-meter pistol

Maria Grozdeva kisses her gold medal after winning the women's 25-meter pistol shooting final. Darren England/Allsport

SYDNEY, Australia (CNNSI.com) - Bulgarian's Maria Grozedeva's goal was to win gold. In the process, she set the Olympic record.

Grozdeva broke the record with a score of 690.3 in the women's 25-meter pistol, after double-medalist Tao Luna set the Olympic qualifying mark.

Grozdeva broke the record of China's Li Duihong, who scored 687.9 at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

"I did what was supposed to be done," Grozdeva said. "I had the strongest wish to beat the Chinese girl. I got my wish, my dream title."

Tao, who also won the women's air pistol, had 580 points to lead the eight-women final and snap Li's mark of 589.

"I was not too nervous, but I probably paid more attention on my first few shots," Tao said. "I became nervous on my last shot and I started to think too early."

Lolita Evglevskaya of Belarus took the bronze with a score of 686.

Beki Snyder of Grand Junction, Colo., finished in a ninth-place tie with 580 points, two short of the final qualifier. Janine Bowman of Woonsocket, R.I., was 24th with a score of 574.

Yang, the World Cup winner at Milan, scored 681.1 to top Moldovan's 681.0 and win. Niu Zhiyuan, also of China, took the bronze with a score of 677.4.

"I couldn't think," Yang said. "All I wanted was to do well. Winning by one point ... I'm really excited."

Adam Saathoff of Hereford, Ariz., finished in a three-way tie for 12th with 570 points. Lance Dement of Runge, Texas was 18th with 541.

Yang and Moldovan were among five players who scored 293 points in the first day of qualifying Thursday.

"It was very difficult, but I feel very blessed to have won a medal," said Moldovan, who trailed Yang 581-580 heading into the eight-man final.

Niu was ranked 15th after the first day and shot a 292 during the fast runs to reach the final round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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