And we’re off! Following the excitement of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, the 10m air rifle mixed team event crowned the first Olympic champions of these Games at the Châteauroux Shooting Centre on 27 July.
The People’s Republic of China took gold, capturing consecutive Olympic titles in the 10m air rifle mixed team event having also been crowned champions in its debut at Tokyo 2020. The world champion duo, 19-year-old Sheng Lihao and 17-year-old Huang Yuting, lived up to their favourites tag by becoming the first champions of Paris 2024.
They bested the silver medallist team from the Republic of Korea, Keum Jihyeon and Park Hajun, in a nail-biting final.
China took an early 6-2 lead in the final, with Sheng’s exceptional accuracy helping them maintain control. Despite a strong comeback from Republic of Korea, China held a commanding lead and ultimately secured the gold with a 16-12 victory, thanks to decisive shots in the final rounds.
“My main feeling is just happiness,” Sheng said after winning gold. “The match was quite hard, but being able to do a personal best performance helped a lot.”
When asked where this ranks in his career, he said: “It’s only the beginning for me.”
Kazakhstan’s Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev earlier won the first medal of Paris 2024, securing the bronze and their country’s first shooting medal since 1996.
“I’m feeling perfect. This was the first (Olympic) competition for me, and I got third place, so it’s perfect,” Satpaev said when asked what it felt like to win the first medal of Paris 2024.
