Tokyo Olympics: Chinese Shooter, Yang Qian Wins First Gold Medal Of 2020 Games (Video)

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Tokyo Olympics: Chinese Shooter, Yang Qian Wins First Gold Medal Of 2020 GamesChinese shooter, Yang Qian has won the first gold of 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, snatching a dramatic last-shot victory from Russia’s Anastasiia Galashina in the women’s 10m air rifle final.

The 21-year-old Ningbo native, already an Asian Games champion, set an Olympic record score of 251.8, edging ahead of Galashina (251.1) in a tense final round, with Switzerland’s Nina Christen (230.6) claiming the bronze.

China’s Yang Qian celebrates on the podium with Russia’s Anastasiia Galashina (left) and Switzerland’s Nina Christen. Photo: AFP

Speaking after her victory, Yang said;

The last two shots I tried to control my emotions as much as possible and do well. Adjust, take a deep breath and stay as stable as possible. The last shot I was very nervous and held back for too long. I thought I lost and couldn’t catch up. I am quite satisfied with the finals. I was able to focus on my performance and not worry about the result.

It is better to be myself. My mental strength is better and I coped well. I am very happy to get the first gold and to give my best for the motherland.

Yang Qian takes aim with the gold medal on the line. Photo: Xinhua

The event took place the morning after the Olympics opened in a nearly empty stadium, following an unprecedented postponement and a build-up marred by scandal and controversy.

The first medal ceremony of the Games saw Yang presented with her gold by International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach.

Qian Yang puts on her gold medal, presented by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. Photo: AP

Yang draped the medal around her neck after being handed the gold on a tray offered by Bach, in keeping with COVID-19 protocols in place at the Games.

Read Also: COVID-19 Social Distancing: Olympics Winners Will Put Medals On Necks By Themselves

Yang’s gold is China’s 23rd gold medal in Olympic shooting events and she follows in the footsteps of compatriots Du Li and Yi Siling in standing atop the podium in the women’s 10m air rifle.

Du won gold in Athens in 2004, while Yi was the Olympic champion in London in 2012.

Olympic Games is usually held in even-numbered years but the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021 because of a one-year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to cast a dark cloud over the world and even threatened to derail the postponed Games.

With fans barred from venues, only a handful of Chinese support staff were on hand to congratulate Yang after the win.

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