China won first gold medal of 2024 Paris Olympics

China won the first gold medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics by Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao against South Korea in the mixed air rifle shooting. Chinese athletes Huang and Sheng were not even close to Paris when they won the first gold medal of the Olympics.

Huang and Sheng competed in the mixed 10-meter air rifle team even today at the Olympic shooting range in Chateaurox, a three-hour drive from Paris.

They took an early four-point lead over Park Hajun and Keum Jihyeon of South Korea in their head-to-head match for the gold medal. They maintained their lead by 16-14 against South Korean athletes.

First gold medal of the #Paris2024    Games 🥇
China takes the Gold in the 10m Air Riffle Mixed Team event. To be honest, we're a bit emotional 🥹 #Olympic2024 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/gN8xUSkaHk
— Paris 2024 Olympics Commentary (@Paris2024Club) July 27, 2024

This lead by Huang and Sheng won China its first gold medal in mixed air rifle shooting. After winning this contest, Sheng stated his primary emotion was happiness although the competition was challenging. But performing at his personal best proved beneficial in securing a win against South Korea.

However, South Korean athletes Park Hajun and Keum Jihyeon won silver medals falling second in mixed air rifle shooting. Earlier, Kazakhstan athletes Alexander Le and Islam Satpayev became the first medalists of this game.

Result of Shooting #Shooting #Olympic2024 pic.twitter.com/ZYBHUJV3m4
— Paris 2024 Olympics Commentary (@Paris2024Club) July 27, 2024

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They defeated Germany’s Anna Janssen and Maximilian Ulbrich by 17-5 for the bronze medal. Kazakhstani bronze medalist Islam Satpayev also snapped a photo with his fellow medalists, Huang and Sheng on stage.

Islam also stated he was feeling perfect. This was the first Olympic competition and he got third place. So, that is incredible. However, China also emerged victorious in air rifle shooting at its Olympic debut three years ago in Japan.

Chinese athletes Yang Qian and Yang Haoran won a gold medal by participating in 10-meter air rifle shooting. The restrictions imposed at the time because of the pandemic required athletes to receive medals while wearing a mask.