In a stunning display of precision and composure, Li Yuehong of China clinched the gold medal in the men’s 25-meter rapid fire pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final held in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday.
Li established an early lead with flawless performances in the first four series. However, the competition intensified when Christian Reitz of Germany appealed his three-out-of-five results, leading the jury to grant a re-shoot. Despite the challenge, Li maintained his focus. After the fifth series, Reitz attempted another appeal during a shoot-off against fellow German Oliver Geis, but this time the jury dismissed the protest.
Though Li fell short of breaking his own world record of 39 hits, his final tally of 34 hits secured him his second World Cup Final title, adding to his previous victory in 2021. This triumph comes on the heels of the 35-year-old’s first Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris earlier this year.
Florian Peter of Germany, last year’s champion who edged out Li, finished second with 30 hits. The bronze medal was claimed by China’s Wang Xinjie, who amassed 23 hits.
China’s success extended beyond Li’s victory. In the women’s 50-meter rifle 3 positions, Han Jiayu earned a bronze medal with a score of 453.7 points. She trailed behind Denmark’s Rikke Maeng Ibsen, who took gold with 466.2 points, and Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad, who secured silver with 465.6 points.
Feng Sixuan added another bronze for China in the women’s 25-meter pistol event. Germany’s Josefin Eder narrowly defeated France’s Camille Jedrzejewski 36-35 to capture the gold medal.
