“I am so happy with this medal, because this is my first gold in the whole year.” Yang Haoran said, after claiming the 10m Air Rifle Men world cup title at the ISSF World Cup Final in Munich, today.
The 19-year old shooter had indeed placed twice in second during this year's ISSF World Cup Series, in Fort Benning and Munich, missing the highest step of the podium. In spite of it, he manage to peak and come back atop of the scoreboard at the right moment, just in time to lift the 2015 ISSF World Cup.
“This season it hasn't been that good for me.” Yang explained. “I had several physical problems, I believe because of the stress of all the competitions I participated in. I just have to accept it, that happens, I need to rest a bit now.”
Competing among the best rifle shooters of the world, selected throughout this year's four world cup stages, Yang shot at a great pace today, collecting 207.0 points in the final. Enough to beat Oleh Tsarkov of the Ukraine (27), who landed in second place with 206.6 points, and the winner of this year's ISSF World Cup Stage in Fort Benning (USA) Milutin Stefanovic of Serbia (30), who took bronze with 184.6 points.
Wolrd's #2, China's Cao Yifei (27), placed in fourth with 164.4 points, followed by the title defender Lazar Louginets of Russia (26), who was eliminated with 143.5 points taking fifth place.
Yang, currently standing atop of the world ranking in this event, didn't achieve something new to him, today. The young athlete has already won all major international title since the 2013 ISSF World Cup Final, also held here in Munich. And he did that in two different age categories, securing Gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, on his home turf, and claiming senior titles at the ISSF World Championship and at the Asian Games.
Lifting another trophy, today, he looks forward to the season to come, the most important of his career. “Today's medal feels great, but nothing is set, I will have to work hard.” Said the shooting sport star who keeps his feet on the ground, speaking about his road to Rio. “There will be selection matches for the Olympics, back in China. I will do my best to have the opportunity to be part of the Rio team. All my teammates are excellent shooters, and it won't be easy.”