In an electrifying display at the Munich leg of the ISSF World Cup, China's shooters turned heads with standout performances in the mixed team events. The atmosphere was buzzing as every shot filled the arena with anticipation and excitement! 🎯
In the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event, Hu Kai and Yao Qianxun stormed the stage by racing to an early 8-0 lead and ultimately securing a commanding 16-4 victory over their Armenian opponents. This win not only marked Hu's fourth World Cup gold but also reinforced the duo's reputation for consistency and precision.
The mixed team 10-meter air rifle event saw world record holders Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao setting a new qualification record with an astonishing score of 635.9 points—just 0.1 point above the previous mark. Despite their stellar start, the Chinese pair faced stiff competition from India's Arya Borse and Arjun Babuta, who clinched the gold after a series of high-scoring shots. Though Wang and Sheng had to settle for silver, their performance throughout the event was nothing short of phenomenal.
Wang Zifei, an 18-year-old sensation, also shined individually by setting new junior and overall qualification world records in the women's 10m air rifle event, adding to her unbeaten streak on the World Cup circuit. Meanwhile, Sheng Lihao bolstered his medal count with a bronze medal from the men's individual competition.
Additional bouts brought more drama to the range, with Germany's Doreen Vennekamp and Christian Reitz overcoming Olympic champions from Serbia to claim bronze, and Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad and Jon-Hermann Hegg finishing on the podium in the rifle event. Overall, these mixed team results helped cement China's top spot in the medal tally with four golds, one silver, and two bronzes. Norway followed with two golds, one silver, and one bronze, while India rounded out the top three with two golds and two bronzes.
Looking ahead, the next ISSF World Cup rifle and pistol event will be held in Ningbo, located in the Zhejiang Province of the Chinese mainland, from September 7 to 15. Fans and aspiring shooters alike are eagerly anticipating more record-breaking performances on the range!
Reference(s):
China capture gold and silver in mixed team events at ISSF World Cup
cgtn.com
