China's Li Yuehong claimed the gold medal in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event at the Paris Olympics. Photo:VCG

China's Li Yuehong claimed the gold medal in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event at the Paris Olympics, with his teammate Wang Xinjie winning bronze. This marks China's 20th gold medal at these Games.

As a three-time Olympian and world record holder, 34-year-old veteran Li had previously won two Olympic bronze medals. This year's competition was particularly tough, featuring top competitors.

In the qualification round, Li and Wang ranked second and fourth, respectively, after the first stage. Both scored 294 points in the second stage, with Li finishing first in qualification with a total score of 588 and Wang second with 587.

"This breakthrough belongs to everyone in our team. The feeling of achieving it is about not letting down the trust everyone placed in us," Li said in a post-competition interview.

Li won bronze medals at both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics and is also a two-time Asian Games gold medalist and the world record holder in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event.

At the 2023 World Shooting Championships, Li won his first individual gold medal in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event, securing a spot for the Chinese shooting team at the Paris Olympics. He also won gold medals in both individual and team events at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Li believes shooting is very similar to Confucian thought. "We need to focus on our own inner selves and compare ourselves to our own standards, rather than trying to surpass others. The goal is to overcome ourselves," he said.

"This breakthrough belongs to every member of the team. I'll give the gold medal as a birthday gift to my wife; she'll love it," Li added.

Global Times