Yao/Hu crowned in 10m air pistol mixed team after surpassing world record at China's National Games

GUANGZHOU -- Two-time World Cup winning pair Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai of Anhui surpassed the world record en route to a commanding 17-9 victory over Shandong's Ma Qianke and Tian Kunzheng in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, as the rifle and pistol competitions of China's 15th National Games concluded here on Saturday.

Scoring 298 and 294 points respectively, Yao and Hu combined for 592 in qualification, surpassing the previous world record of 587 set by India's Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary in 2021. Ma and Tian advanced to the gold medal match with 581 points.

In the final, the two teams traded points early and were tied three times up to 6-6 before Anhui pulled away to lead 13-7 and sealed the title 17-9.

"Overall, both of us performed quite well," said 20-year-old Yao. "While competing, I just focused on the moment and tried to enjoy the process."

The victory marked Hu's second gold of the Games, following his team triumph in the men's 10m air pistol. Although the 23-year-old failed to defend his individual crown earlier in the week, he said the experience gave him perspective.

"Losing the individual event was actually a good thing for me," Hu said. "I don't see the National Games as the ultimate goal - I need to look toward the future from a higher standpoint."

Earlier Saturday, 18-year-old prodigy Wang Zifei capped a remarkable campaign by winning her third gold medal, partnering veteran Zhao Zhonghao to take the 50m rifle three positions mixed team title.

The pair, representing Zhejiang, qualified first and faced teammates Han Jiayu and Shen Yuchen in an all-Zhejiang final, edging them 34-26. Tianjin defeated Shandong 32-24 for bronze.

18-year-old Wang, unbeaten in the 10m air rifle on the World Cup circuit this season, finished a disappointing sixth in the event in Guangzhou, but bounced back to win the women's team gold with Olympic champion Huang Yuting and 2023 world champion Han Jiayu, before adding a 50m rifle three positions individual title earlier.

"I think my performance at this National Games was quite good, and I gained a lot of valuable experience," Wang said. "In my first final (in women's 10m air rifle), I was really nervous, but as the competition went on, I gradually adapted and learned how to adjust myself on the field. It's been a meaningful experience."

With the rifle and pistol events now completed, Zhejiang emerged as the dominant force, collecting four golds and three silvers. Shaanxi followed with two golds, three silvers, and one bronze, while Anhui finished third with two golds.

According to the Chinese Shooting Association, 34 teams competed in rifle and pistol events this year, three more than the previous edition. Eleven teams won gold medals, and 21 reached the podium, reflecting a broader spread of talent across the country.

Notably, 10 athletes in five events achieved scores surpassing existing world records during the Games.

"We anticipated that someone might break a world record, but we didn't expect there to be so many," said Du Li, former Olympic champion and current head of the national pistol team. "The competition venues at this National Games were outstanding in both hardware and software, providing athletes with ideal conditions. That was a key factor behind these exceptional performances."

Du also highlighted the emergence of several promising young talents as a positive sign for the future of Chinese shooting.

"For example, Liu Ziyang from Anhui, who is just 14, and Zhao Taotao from Hebei, born in 2009 - their performances give us great confidence as we prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics," she said.