The competition exists out of two separate rounds. In the qualification, the shooters try to reach a score as high as possible in two different stages, with the eight athletes with the highest scores qualifying for the second round. In the second round, the athletes compete with the shooter with the lowest score being eliminated. The last competitor standing wins the event.
Preview[]
Twenty-seven athletes qualified for the event with Lin Junmin as one of the favorites for the title, as the reigning world champion and second-best qualifier on the world rankings, behind defending Olympic champion Christian Reitz. At the most recent world championships, he defeated his countryman Zhang Jian and 2016 silver medalist Jean Quiquampoix for the gold medal, with also 2016 bronze medalist Li Yuehong in the upcoming field. Peeter Olesk also proved a force to be reckoned with in the most recent season, with also Clement Bessaguet and Oliver Geis close behind, in a field that also featured 2012 Olympic champion Leuris Pupo.
