Olympics-Shooting-China medal contender disqualified

By Erik Kirschbaum

BEIJING, Aug 16 (Reuters) - China's Zhang Penghui has been disqualified from the Olympic men's 25m rapid fire pistol competition for three times violating a rule by raising his arm too soon, according to a statement released on Saturday.

"Zhang Penghui (CHN) was disqualified for violation of ISSF Rule 8.6.1.4 three times -- raising arm too soon," according to an official communication released at the Olympics shooting venue.

Penghui, who has won three World Cup events since 2005, was expected to be in the hunt for medals in Saturday's final.

He finished seventh in the event in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and took third in a World Cup event in Beijing earlier in 2008. (Editing by Jon Bramley)