Tokyo Olympics: Chinese shooter Yang Qian takes first gold medal of Games

By Sports Desk July 23, 2021

Yang Qian is the first gold medallist at Tokyo 2020. 

The Chinese shooter won the women's 10-metre air rifle despite saving her worst shot of the competition for last. 

The 21-year-old trailed Anastasiia Galashina, competing for the Russian Olympic Committee, by 0.2 points entering the final shot at the Asaka Shooting Range, but Galashina missed badly, scoring 8.9. 

Yang had scored at least 10 points on every shot up to her last, but her 9.8 was still enough to take gold with an Olympic record 251.8 as Galashina finished with 251.1. 

Nina Christen of Switzerland took bronze with a final score of 230.6.

Related items

  • Richards and Campbell dominate Jamaica Rifle Association’s Jamaica Cup shoot in Kingston Richards and Campbell dominate Jamaica Rifle Association’s Jamaica Cup shoot in Kingston

    Darin Richards and Yeonie Campbell claimed top honors at the Jamaica Rifle Association’s (JRA) Jamaica Cup IPSC Level 3 shoot, held at the JRA's head office and shooting range on Mountain View Avenue in Kingston. The event, a qualifier for the 2025 IPSC World Cup in South Africa, drew fierce competition as shooters battled under scorching conditions for coveted spots on the national team.

    Richards took home the title in the Standard Division, a win he credited to his disciplined approach to mastering steel targets. “It was very awesome. The stages were very challenging," Richards said, describing the intensity of the competition. "I personally had some issues but was determined. I did my best, and I thank God I won my division.” His focused preparation paid off, earning him 741.42 points ahead of Paul Dixon, who scored 711.12, and Thomas Jones with 681.69.

    In the Production Division, Campbell, also the JRA's pistol captain and match director, secured the win with an impressive 766.90 points. Balancing her roles as organizer and competitor, she described the experience as both rewarding and intense. “It was very pressuring. I had to organize the match itself...The team of us worked very hard to put on the production, and I am glad it came across very well,” Campbell shared, noting that winning her division made the effort all the more fulfilling. Campbell finished ahead of Sanjay Wilson (709.32) and Josimar Clarke (689.36).

    Other notable performances included Ryan Bramwell’s victory in the Production Optics Division, scoring 1049.81 points. Bramwell, a seasoned competitor who made a switch to Production Optics for the event, comfortably outscored Chris Hart (946.20) and Adrian Randle (946.02). Alrice Palmer dominated the Open Division, scoring 1011.28 points, while Petrano Belafonte (971.93) and Alvin More (964.49) finished in second and third, respectively.

    JRA President Rohan Wilson praised the event, noting its success since its inception in 2015. “I am very grateful that it was a safe day. I am very grateful that everyone came out and enjoyed it,” Wilson said. “The weather, the heat was grueling, but all in all, it was a successful day. The sport of practical pistol is still a very relevant sport.”

    Island Car Rentals, the event’s main sponsor, supported this year’s Jamaica Cup IPSC Level 3 shoot, adding further prestige to an already impactful competition.

  • Hotshot: Ja's Shayon Francis shines at Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting tourney in Barbados Hotshot: Ja's Shayon Francis shines at Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting tourney in Barbados

    Corporal Shayon Francis, one of Jamaica’s accomplished female pistol shooters and brand ambassador for Spectrum Systems Limited, once again showcased her exceptional skills at the recently-concluded Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting Competition in Barbados.

    Francis, whose passion for sport shooting unleashes her competitive edge, secured the prestigious High Lady Award as the highest-placed female shooter overall.

    The St Thomas native, who honed her skills competing against some of the top shooters locally and internationally, again demonstrated that prowess as she outshone several of her top-tier male counterparts from across the Caribbean and beyond.

    The outstanding performance by Francis underscores her dedication to the sport, and the unwavering support of Spectrum Systems Limited has been integral to her achieving these significant milestones.

    “We are incredibly proud of Shayon’s achievements on the international stage,” said Andrew Stanigar, Managing Director of Spectrum Systems Limited.

    Stanigar pointed out that Spectrum Systems Limited remains committed to supporting Francis’ journey and promoting excellence in sports as she continues to chart a dazzling course in her shooting career.

    “Her success is a testament to her hard work and the values we uphold at Spectrum Systems. We are honoured to have her represent our brand,” he added.

    For Francis, the performance was a result of her unflinching desire to succeed each time she gets on course. As such, she believes there is still room for improvements.

    “My performance was solid, and although there is always room for growth, I’m thrilled to have represented Jamaica with pride. I’d like to extend a huge thank you to my amazing sponsor, Spectrum Systems Limited, for their continued support on my journey to the World Shoot in South Africa 2025. I am grateful for their belief in me,” Francis declared.

    Marksmanship is a skill that can be developed and must be maintained. But speed and fitness are also critical components in practical pistol shooting, something that Francis is well aware of.

    It is with that in mind why she has no intentions of sitting on her laurels, as she targets more positive performances in the build up for that World Shoot.

    “My overall goal is to be on the podium each time I go out to compete and so the aim is to build on this performance, but it will take constant training to make that happen. So, again, I intend to put in some more training time to reap more success,” Francis noted.

  • Jamaican shooters the toast of Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting tourney in Barbados Jamaican shooters the toast of Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting tourney in Barbados

    Jamaica’s practical pistol shooters demonstrated exceptional precision, versatility and resilience at the recently concluded Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting Competition in Barbados. The team secured top honours in every category, solidifying their reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier competitive shooting teams.

    The Jamaicans stood out in this highly competitive Level 3 event, challenging elite marksmen and women from countries such as the United States of America (USA), Suriname, Columbia, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia.

    As a team, Jamaica secured first, second and third place finishes in the Production Optics, Production and Open Divisions, respectively.

    The individual events saw Darin Richards leading the charge, as he copped first-place in the Standard Division and the esteemed International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) President’s gold medal. His outstanding performance set the tone for the entire team.

    Adrian Randle and Rohan Wallace finished second in their respective divisions, while Alrice Palmer finished third in the highly competitive Open Division, further demonstrating Jamaica’s depth of talent. Lennie Moulton also placed second in the Open Division’s Senior Category.

    The women were also a formidable force, as Yeonie Campbell and Florence Golding achieved a first and second place finish, respectively, in the Production Division lady category.

    Meanwhile, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) very own, Corporal Shayon Francis, captured the High Lady Award as the highest-placed female shooter overall in the match, marking a significant achievement for the team and the country. Their remarkable performances highlighted the strength and competitiveness of Jamaica’s female shooters.

    “We are incredibly proud of the team’s performance at the Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting Competition,” said Yeonie Campbell, the Jamaica Rifle Association’s (JRA) Pistol Captain.

    “This success is a testament to the dedication, discipline, and hard work of our shooters, and we are thrilled to bring home these well-deserved accolades,” she added.

    Jamaica’s stellar performance at this prestigious event reaffirms the nation’s status in the shooting sports arena. The team’s achievements not only reflect their individual talents but also the strong support and training environment that has been cultivated within country’s shooting community.

    “The JRA is dedicated to the promotion and development of shooting sports in Jamaica, providing opportunities for shooters of all levels to hone their skills and compete at the highest levels both regionally and internationally,” said Rohan Wilson, President of the JRA.

    The Jamaican team returned home beaming with pride as they carried with them not just trophies and medals but also the pride of a nation that continues to excel on the regional and international stage.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.