Breaking the spell

Tan was determined to give himself a last chance.

His score of the first four series of the six-series qualification was 96, 94, 93, 96.

When delighted spectators were amazed at the sharpshooter's return, he lost his nerves in the fifth series and even scored a 8 point.

Wang Yifu, head coach of the Chinese shooting team and Tan's former teammate, talked to him twice. Chinese spectators sitting behind him encouraged him with applauses.

When he finished the last series, another 96, the man didn't appear glad at his leading 565-point score. More difficult competition was still ahead.

The final was full of suspension.

Tan Zongliang competes in men's 50m pistol of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games shooting event in Beijing, August 12, 2008. [Li Ga/Xinhua]

After Tan, four shooters tied at the same score of 563, including 29-year-old Athens runner-up Jin Jong Oh from South Korea and 31-year-old Athens bronze medalist Kim Jong Su.

In the first shot, Tan stunned spectators with a 7.9, losing his advantage and slipped to the second. Leading position was taken up by Jin who made a 10.3, highest among all finalists.

In the second shot, Jin maintained his momentum to score a 10.5, while Tan further plunged to the fourth with a 9.2.

The third shot saw Tan regaining his sharpness a little bit to make a 10.2. He rose to the third but was still 1.3 points behind the leading Jin.

Amid expectation of Chinese spectators who kept applauding, he made an 8.1 in the fourth shot and fell to the fifth.

Jin was no better than him. With an 8.5, he swooped to the third.

In the following five shots, both Jin and Tan mustered up their strength to regain their positions as No. 1 and No. 2.

Before the last shot, there was a 1.9-point gap between the duo.

The South Korean shooter seemed to be out of gear in the last shot. His score, an 8.2, incurred regretful hiss.

Tan, the 2002 and 2006 World Championships gold medalist, had his chance. If he could score a 10.2, he would be the champion.

The 37-year-old raised his gun. Spectators held their breath.

He fired.

A 9.2.

With the score, he not only lost the chance to crown, but surrendered his second place to Kim.

But Tan made his own history.

"He has tried his best," Wang Yifu was satisfied.

"I feel ashamed with the bronze. Six coaches have helped me...but it was a reply, to my coaches, to those who helped me and to myself."

He then bowed to the spectators, with his eyes red, before standing solemnly watching the national flag gradually moved up, although the national anthem was not Chinese.