Matt Emmons' dream of winning multiple Olympic medals for the USA men's shooting team during the 2012 London games came to an end Monday, when Mount Holly, NJ native failed to qualify for the finals in the 10-meter rifle competition. Emmons, 31-years-old and a two-time Olympic medalist, finished 35th out of 54 in the qualifying round, which advances only eight men into the finals.
According to a report by USA Today, Emmons was suffering from a back problem that hindered his flexibility and accuracy.
"My back hurts, man," said Emmons, whose score on 60 shots (with a maximum 10 for each shot) was 590. Only the top eight made the final, and Emmons was 35th. U.S. teammate Jonathan Hall was 27th.
"I haven't been able to figure out, especially in air rifle, what I am doing wrong with my position that's causing it (his back) to hurt so much," Emmons said.
Emmons will have a second shot at a gold medal on Aug. 6, when he competes in the 50-meter rifle from three positions.
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