Published on 31 Jul 2006
China’s Zhang shoots his way to his first World Championship win
Sara John
China’s Penghui Zhang shot a phenomenal final in men’s rapid fire pistol today, finishing with a 786.6 for the gold medal at the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. Liu Zhongsheng, also of China, won second and Russia’s Sergei Alifirenko took third.
Zhang went into the final with only a one point advantage on his next three competitors, qualifying with a 583. He then shot a 203.6 in the final to put an end to anybody’s chance of overcoming his lead. “The most important thing in a final like this, is to remain calm” Zhang said. “I had expected our Team to medal, but I really didn’t expect myself to. I just wanted to enter the final, and take it from there.” Chinese teammate Zhongsheng shot a 582 qualifying score, plus a 199.7 in the final for the 781.7 total score and the silver. Alifirenko had qualified with a 582, but had one 7.7 in the final round to drop him to third with a 778.9 total score. Germany’s Marco Spangenberg also had a 582 coming into the final, but shot a 196.4 to end up in fourth, while the USA’s Keith Sanderson qualified with a 581, and shot a 196.8 for fifth. In sixth place, Denmark’s Rene Vogn shot a 581, plus a 193.0 for a 774.0 total score. Russia’s Alifirenko and Germany’s Spangenberg won the country quota spots for men’s rapid fire.