Day 6: Jacobsson takes 16th Paralympic gold, China over 100-medal mark

Source: Xinhua | 09-13-2008 08:58

By Sportswriter Gao Peng

BEIJING, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Swedish shooting legend Jonas Jacobsson clinched his third gold medal at the Beijing Paralympics and 16th from eight Games on Friday, and Natalie du Toit of South Africa made it 4-for-4 to keep alive her hopes of winning five golds.

Jonas Jacobsson competes during the final of the mixed  R6-50m free rifle prone SH1 event of the shooting at the  Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, Sept. 12,  2008. Jacobsson claimed the title of the event with a total result of 695.8 points. It was his third gold medal in the Beijing Paralympics, and also the 16th one of his Paralympics. (Xinhua/Ren Yong)

Although China grabbed only four gold medals on Day Six, the second least for the hosts in any single day since the opening of the Games, they surpassed the 100-medal mark. The Chinese topped the overall medal standings with 37 golds, 42 silvers and 30 bronzes.

Britain, boosted by a haul of six golds in road cycling, swimming and boccia, closed in on China with 33-20-16. The United States was third on 23-16-17.

South Africa's gold medalist Natalie Du Toit(C) poses for  photos with Canada's silver medalist Stephine Dixon(L) and Australia's bronze winner Elli Cole in the awarding ceremony  for women's 400m individual freestyle S9 during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Aquatics Center in  Beijing, China, Sept. 12, 2008.(Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Jacobsson scored a mediocre 695.8 points in the mixed 50m free rifle prone SH1, nearly seven points short of his own world record. But it was already good enough to put him atop the podium again following victories in 50m free rifle 3x40 SH1 and 10m air rifle standing SH1 events.

The 43-year-old veteran downplayed the magnitude of his achievement, saying "I just do as much as I can."

But his coach, Anders Sundell, was full of praise for him.

"He's super. He's probably the best disabled shooter in the world," said Sundell.

"He knows more about shooting than most of the people. He came here to take part in four events and got three medals. It is amazing."