Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe shoots himself up to eighth in pentathlon

Kilkenny man moves up seven positions thanks to some sharp shooting

Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe is congratulated by friends after finishing eighth in the final of the men’s pentathlon at the Olympic Games in Rio. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe is congratulated by friends after finishing eighth in the final of the men’s pentathlon at the Olympic Games in Rio. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

A brilliant display of shooting helped Ireland's Arthur Lanigan-O'Keeffe finish eighth in the final of the men's pentathlon at the Olympic Games in Rio.

The 24-year-old from Kilkenny came into the final combined running and shooting element in 15th position, starting 42 seconds behind Russia's Alexander Lesun, who went on to claim the gold medal in a new Olympic record.

Lanigan-O’Keeffe excelled on the firing range, missing just four times over the four stops and recording some outstanding times, twice going under 10 seconds.

He eventually got over the line in a time of 11:54.21 to claim eighth spot behind Lesun. Ukraine's Pavlo Tymoshchenko took silver and Mexico's Ismael Uscanga came home in bronze. David Svoboda, who won the gold medal in London, finished in ninth position behind Lanigan-O'Keeffe.

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Earlier the Irishman had enjoyed a clear round in the showjumping section of the event