Sergei Martynov (sport shooter)

2.1. Birth and Background

Sergei Martynov was born on May 18, 1968, in Vereya, which is located in the Naro-Fominsky District of Moscow Oblast, within the Russian SFSR of the Soviet Union. His full name in Belarusian is Сяргей Анатолевіч Мартынаў_{Siarhei Anatolevich Martynau}^Belarusian, and in Russian, it is Сергей Анатольевич Мартынов^Russian.

2.2. Start of Shooting Career

Martynov began his career in the sport of shooting, quickly establishing himself as a formidable competitor. While he was recognized as a world-class athlete in the 50 metre rifle three positions event, his greatest successes and most notable achievements ultimately came in the prone position. This early foundation allowed him to develop the precision and focus that would define his later career.

3.1. Olympic Appearances and Medals

Martynov participated in six Olympic Games, consistently demonstrating his competitive prowess. He earned three Olympic medals in the 50m rifle prone event. His first Olympic medal was a bronze at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He followed this with another bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. His career culminated in a gold medal victory at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, achieved at the age of 44.

The following table summarizes his performance in various Olympic events:

3.2. World and European Championships

Beyond the Olympics, Martynov achieved significant success at other major international championships. He won a gold medal at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships. At the European Shooting Championships, he earned a silver medal in the 50m rifle prone team event and a bronze medal in the individual 50m rifle prone event at the 2013 championships held in Osijek. He also secured a bronze medal in the 50m rifle prone at the 2015 European Games in Baku.

3.3. ISSF World Cup and Other International Competitions

Throughout his career, Martynov accumulated numerous victories and notable performances in the ISSF World Cup series and the World Cup Finals, consistently demonstrating his world-class ability outside of the quadrennial major events.

3.4. World Records and Notable Scores

Sergei Martynov is particularly distinguished by his unparalleled achievement of reaching the maximum score of 600 points in the 50m rifle prone qualification round six times in competition. While the 600-point score itself is a shared world record achieved by multiple elite shooters, Martynov's six instances are more than any other shooter in the history of the sport, showcasing his exceptional consistency and accuracy. His multiple 600-point scores contribute to the ongoing world record in the 50m rifle prone qualification.

Martynov's instances of setting or matching the 600-point world record in 50m Rifle Prone Qualification include:

Note: Martynov's first 600-point score in 1989 was a new world record at the time. His 600-point score at the 2012 London Olympics was also a new Olympic Record.

4.1. Impact on Shooting

Martynov's impact on shooting is characterized by his exceptional consistency and incredible longevity at the highest competitive level. Winning an Olympic gold medal at 44 years old, after previously securing two bronze medals, demonstrates his enduring dedication and skill. His unique achievement of scoring a perfect 600 points in the 50m rifle prone event six times sets him apart in the history of the sport. This record highlights his meticulous approach to training, mental fortitude, and profound understanding of shooting mechanics, establishing him as one of the most precise and consistent shooters in international competition. His legacy continues to inspire aspiring athletes within the international shooting community.