It came in the same event in which UAE claimed its last Olympic gold medal, courtesy of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Maktoum at Athens 2004.

On this occasion, it was another Gulf marksman who pushed Alkaabi closest, with Kuwait's Fehaid Aldeehani - competing as an independent participant due to his country's suspension from the International Shooting Sport Federation - taking the silver medal.

After shooting 28 in the semi-final, Alkaabi fought back from 11-9 down to snatch a 26-25 victory in the final.

Both the finalists claimed Rio 2016 quota places.

India's Asab Mohd took the bronze medal after a 26-24 victory over South Korea's Shin Hyun Woo.

Japan, meanwhile, kept up their remarkable run of having won a gold medal on all four days of the Championships so far as Naoya Okada dominated the 10m air rifle competition.

After battling with Kazakhstan's Yuriy Yurkov for the first half of the final, Okada gradually eased clear to finish on an impressive score of 208.1 points to also secure Rio qualification.

Yurkov took silver with 206.3 but, as he had already qualified a quota spot, third placed Pourya Norouziyan of Iran snatched the final place with 184.2 points.

Hometown favorite, India’s Akhil Sheoran, had to settle for fourth with 163.0.

The Asian Qualifier is being held in New Delhi after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to recognise last year's continental championships in Kuwait City due to Kuwait being also suspended from the IOC for Governmnent interference.

Action is due to continue tomorrow with the women's 50m rifle 3 positions and 25m pistol competitions.