McIntosh, one of the most experienced rifle athletes on the international circuit, delivered a composed performance throughout the final. After finishing the kneeling stage on 103.5 and the prone stage on 208.9, she remained among the leaders entering the decisive standing position.
The battle for gold quickly became a head-to-head contest between McIntosh and Han Jiayu, who enjoyed strong support from the home crowd. Han led after the kneeling and prone stages with 211.3 points and carried a narrow advantage into the elimination rounds.
However, McIntosh produced a series of strong standing shots to gradually reduce the gap before moving ahead in the closing stages. Despite the pressure of the final shots, the British shooter held her nerve to finish on 362.6, securing gold by the smallest of margins over Han, who earned silver with 362.3.
However, McIntosh produced a series of strong standing shots to gradually reduce the gap before moving ahead in the closing stages. Despite the pressure of the final shots, the British shooter held her nerve to finish on 362.6, securing gold by the smallest of margins over Han, who earned silver with 362.3.
The bronze medal went to Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad, another Olympic medallist and regular podium contender on the ISSF circuit. Duestad remained in the fight for gold throughout much of the final before finishing with 347.6 points.
China's Zhang Liyuan narrowly missed the podium in fourth place with 336.6, while Misaki Nobata of Japan finished fifth on 325.2.
China's Zhang Liyuan narrowly missed the podium in fourth place with 336.6, while Misaki Nobata of Japan finished fifth on 325.2.
India's Vidarsa Kochalumkal Vinod placed sixth with 315.2, ahead of the United States pair Katie Lorraine Zaun (304.2) and Mary Carolynn Tucker (304.1), who completed the eight-athlete final.
The victory marks another important World Cup success for McIntosh, adding to her growing list of international achievements and highlighting her consistency in one of shooting sport's most demanding events.
The victory marks another important World Cup success for McIntosh, adding to her growing list of international achievements and highlighting her consistency in one of shooting sport's most demanding events.
Competition at the ISSF World Cup Hangzhou 2026 continues on Thursday with more Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun finals as athletes continue their pursuit of medals in China.