Tang Xiao of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region claimed victory in the women's 10-meter air pistol event at China's 15th National Games on Thursday, delivering a career-best performance in Guangzhou. The 24-year-old shooter overcame a star-studded field that included Tokyo Olympics medalist Jiang Ranxin through a combination of steady nerves and precise marksmanship.
The final adopted an elimination format where athletes faced immediate pressure from the first shot. While Hubei's Ruan Mengying initially led, Tang seized her moment when rivals faltered during critical elimination rounds. Her decisive final shot of 9.6 points secured the gold with 240.3 points total – a personal milestone for an athlete whose previous career highlight was a 2019 national silver medal.
"This final represents my cleanest performance ever," Tang told reporters after the match. "I focused on controlling my breathing and committing fully to each shot rather than the standings."
The games saw other standout performances, including 18-year-old Wang Zifei's dramatic comeback win in the women's 50-meter rifle three positions. The rising star overcame a seven-point deficit to claim her second gold of the tournament. In team events, Anhui's pistol squad led by veteran Hu Kai dominated their final 16-6 against Hebei.
As China continues developing world-class shooting talent, these National Games results highlight both established champions and emerging contenders ahead of major international competitions.
