By In a remarkable start to the 2024 Paris Olympics, China has clinched the first gold medal of the Games in the mixed team air rifle shooting event. The victory, however, came far from the bustle of the French capital, in the city of Chateauroux, located a three-hour drive from Paris.
Chinese athletes Huang Yuting, 17, and Sheng Lihao, 19, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team event held Saturday morning. The young duo outperformed their South Korean competitors, Keum Jihyeon and Park Hajun, in a tense head-to-head final. Huang and Sheng established an early four-point lead and maintained their advantage throughout the match, ultimately securing a 16-12 victory.
Reflecting on their performance, Sheng expressed, “My main feeling is just happiness. The match was quite hard, but being able to do a personal best performance helped a lot.” The victory marks a continuation of China’s dominance in this event, following their gold medal win in Tokyo three years ago when Yang Qian and Yang Haoran triumphed as the event made its Olympic debut.
The celebrations of the Chinese team were initially restrained, with Huang and Sheng maintaining a composed demeanor. However, their coach’s animated reaction highlighted the significance of the achievement. The young athletes later displayed their joy on the podium, with Sheng offering a thumbs-up as bronze medalist Islam Satpayev of Kazakhstan took a selfie with his fellow medalists.
Earlier in the day, Kazakhstan’s Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev secured their place in Olympic history by becoming the first medalists of the 2024 Games. They claimed the bronze medal with a decisive 17-5 victory over Germany’s Anna Janssen and Maximilian Ulbrich. Satpayev, elated with his performance, stated, “I’m feeling perfect. This was the first (Olympic) competition for me, and I got third place, so it’s perfect.”
This opening event of the Paris Olympics brings back memories of the Tokyo Games, where Yang Qian of China also secured the first gold medal in the individual 10-meter air rifle event. The Tokyo victory, however, was marked by the stark reality of the pandemic, with Yang receiving her medal while wearing a mask due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The decision to host the shooting events in Chateauroux, far from the main Olympic venues in Paris, highlights the logistical challenges and innovative solutions being implemented for the 2024 Games. Despite the distance, the event has set a thrilling tone for the Olympics, showcasing the skill, precision, and competitive spirit that define the Games.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, all eyes will be on the world’s top athletes as they compete for glory across a wide range of sports. China’s early success in the mixed team air rifle event sets a high bar for the competitions to come and underscores the nation’s continued strength in Olympic shooting disciplines.
