The Oxford-based Roopa, who arrived here just a day before the competition, cracked 590 out of 600 to pip Carolyn Quigley of Australia to the gold at Langkawi this morning.

Curiously, Carolyn, winner of the Pairs gold with Kim Frazier, repeated her score of 590 but could win only a silver this time. Christina Ashcroft, the highest scorer during Pairs with 593, managed only 584 and ended ninth, while Sally Johnston of New Zealand took the bronze with 587.

Though the shooters know their own scores, they do not know what the rivals are shooting. Roopa, who carded 98, 99 and 99 in her first three rounds, was one point ahead of Carolyn at that stage. The Australian girl had shot 99, 98 and 98. But then came two perfect rounds for the Aussie, and Roopa's 97, her worst of the day, and 99 meant she wasthree points in deficit.

In an amazing turnabout, Roopa shot a tense 98, but Carolyn slumped to her worst card, a 95. That meant a tie for the gold and the countback came into operation. This time Roopa emerged the winner and her last three shots were all perfect bulls eye for three tens that gave her a 98.

Kuheli, Roopa's partner in the Pairs was 17th with a score of 578, which was two points less than her score in the Pairs.

Michael Gault, the Games record holder, and winner of the gold in the Pairs men's air pistol, retained his title in the individual with a score of 646.3 that comprised 554 in the preliminary qualification and 92.3 in the final round of 100. Francois Van Tonder of South Africa was second with 642.5 and Bruce Quick of Australia third.

Results

Men's individual air rifle: 1 Chris Hector (England) 690, 2 Mohammed Emran Zakaria (Malaysia) 687.2, 3 Zlatko Beneta (Australia) 686.2. (India's Abhinav Bindra (567-600) was 18th in qualifying and did not make the final meant for top8).

Free pistol men final: 1 Michael Gault (Eng) 646.3 (554 plus 92.3), 2 Francois Van Tonder (RSA) 642.5 (546 plus 96.5), 3 Bruce Quick (Aus) 64.3 (548 plus 92.3), 4 Satendra Kumar (Ind) 639.9 (543 plus 96.9).

Women: small bore sport rifle prone: 1 Roopa Unnikrishnan (Ind) 590, 2 Carolyn Quigley (Aus) 590, 3 Sally Johnston (NZ) 587. 17 Kuheli Gangulee (Ind) 578.