China dominates ISSF World Cup in Granada with double gold finish

Zhang Changhong (C) and Liu Yukun (2nd R) pose on the podium after the men's 50-meter rifle 3 positions at the ISSF World Cup, in Granada, Spain, on April 12, 2026. (Photo/Xinhua)

GRANADA, Spain, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese shooters concluded the ISSF World Cup in Granada with a dominant performance on Sunday, as Zhang Changhong and Wang Zifei respectively won the men's 50-meter rifle 3 positions and women's 10-meter air rifle titles.

Olympic medalist Zhang, 26, delivered a remarkable comeback in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final, sealing victory with 358.8 points. He moved up the rankings during the standing phase to take control and secure his first World Cup title.

"I returned after several years away, and it took me some time to readjust to the atmosphere of this competition," Zhang said. "Although I won the gold medal, there were still many issues throughout the process, and I will continue to make adjustments. Overall, I truly enjoyed the experience."

Zhang (C) and Liu (R) pose after the men's 50-meter rifle 3 positions. (Photo/Xinhua)

France's Lucas Kryzs took silver with 357.2 points after climbing through the field in the standing position. Zhang's compatriot Liu Yukun, named 2025 ISSF Athlete of the Year and an Olympic gold medalist at Paris 2024, got bronze with 345.6 points.

In the women's 10m air rifle final, Wang, 19, rallied from fourth place to claim her second gold of the Granada World Cup with 252.9 points.

Wang and teammate Han Jiayu had finished first and second, respectively, in qualification. However, in the final, they found themselves trailing Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad for much of the competition.

Facing elimination at the 19th shot while tied for fourth, Wang fired 10.7 to leap into second place and began closing the gap on the leader.

Trailing by just 0.1 points with two shots remaining, Wang outshot Duestad 10.5 to 10.2 in the penultimate round to take the lead, then sealed victory with 10.4 against Hegg's 10.1 in the final shot.

Wang Zifei (C) and Han Jiayu (2nd R) pose on the podium for the women's 10-meter air rifle. (Photo/Xinhua)

"The score today was not very satisfactory, but this result is a good start to the season for me," Wang said. "My performance in air rifle has become more relaxed with each match, and I hope to do well in the 50m rifle 3 positions next time as well."

Wang, who swept four World Cup titles last year, had also won the 10m air rifle mixed team title with teammate Sheng Lihao earlier in the competition.

Duestad took silver with 252.4 points, while Han secured bronze with 231.5 points.

As the World Cup in Granada concluded, China topped the medal table with eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals, underlining their absolute dominance at the event. Germany finished second with one gold and one silver, while India ranked third with one gold.