Off Track ..... Sparrow shooter finally shoots down gold

Sharpshooter Qiu Jian was first spotted by his coach 17 years ago, shooting sparrows with a slingshot.

Qiu took the gold in the men's 50m rifle three positions last Sunday, after Matthew Emmons of the United States scored a disastrous 4.4 on his final shot.

The 33-year-old Qiu looked mature and reserved as he waved to the cheering crowd during the medal ceremony. When he was a teenager, however, Qiu was extremely naughty and disobedient, according to his mother. His favorite pastime was shooting at sparrows with a slingshot.