The reigning world champion in the discipline was sweaty and looked extremely happy after taking Sweden's third Olympic Games medal in as many days in France.
It's completely indescribable, I have no words. The feelings will come later in the day, simply, says Victor Lindgren to Max after the medal ceremony in the arena in Chateauroux.
After qualifying for the final as sixth among the eight finalists on Sunday, Lindgren was good from the start in the medal match on Monday. The Swede made it all the way to a thrilling, final shoot-out against Chinese Sheng Lihao, who led the competition throughout and took the gold ahead of Lindgren.
Lindgren's final score was 251.4 after 24 shots. Sheng won with 252.2, a new Olympic record, and took his second gold in Paris after previously winning the mixed class with Huang Yuting during the Olympic Games. Miran Maricic, Croatia, took bronze.
Cried with national team colleague
It was a relief to just leave the final. The nerves were on top. It was a relief to just go up on the podium, says Victor Lindgren to the media and laughs.
He hugged, among others, national team colleague Marcus Madsen, who, like Lindgren, lives in Sävsjö, directly after the silver was a fact.
Marcus has meant a lot. He has helped me incredibly much. He is extremely experienced shooter, ten years older than I am. He helps me and gives tips. That hug meant a lot. We both started crying then.
Lindgren's big Olympic goal is actually Los Angeles 2028. The medal in France came four years too early.
There may be a few Olympic Games left.
Vacationing welder
The 21-year-old from Sjöbo in Skåne works part-time as a welder. He will also shoot free rifle, 50 meters, later during the Olympic Games. The competition begins with qualifying on Wednesday.
For the time being, I'm on vacation. I'm actually supposed to start working on August 5, we fly home on August 4. But I'll have to call and talk to my boss and see what they say. Hopefully, I'll get a little more time off.
When asked if he will quit welding after the silver, the answer is quick and certain:
I'll continue welding.
Born: May 16, 2003 (21 years old).
From: Sjöbo in Skåne, shooting gymnasium in Sävsjö, where he stayed after high school.
Merits: Olympic Games silver in Paris 2024, World Championship gold in Baku 2023, silver in junior World Championship in Hungary 2024, gold and bronze in junior European Championship 2023.
