Granada, Spain : China concluded the 2026 ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Granada with emphatic dominance, topping the medal table and stamping their authority across rifle and pistol events at the Las Gabias Shooting Range. The final day of competition on April 12 saw standout individual triumphs from Olympic and World Cup champions that capped a week of consistent excellence.
Zhang Changhong Triumphs in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
Olympic medallist Zhang Changhong, 26, clinched the men’s 50-meter rifle 3 positions title in dramatic fashion. After staying patient through the kneeling and prone stages, Zhang surged in the standing phase to finish with 358.8 points, securing his first World Cup gold in this discipline. France’s Lucas Kryzs took silver with 357.2, while China’s Liu Yukun — the 2025 ISSF Athlete of the Year and Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist — earned bronze with 345.6.
Wang Zifei Rallies to Win Women’s 10m Air Rifle
In the women’s 10-meter air rifle final, Wang Zifei, 19, produced a compelling comeback to claim gold with a score of 252.9, her second individual title of the Granada stage. Wang had qualified strongly alongside teammate Han Jiayu, but trailed early in the final. A critical 10.7 on her 19th shot lifted her into contention; she edged ahead in the closing shots, outpacing Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad, who settled for silver with 252.4. Han took bronze with 231.5.
Earlier in the competition, Wang had also combined with Sheng Lihao to win the 10m air rifle mixed team title for China, topping a high-quality field and adding to the nation’s success in mixed events.
Broad Success Across Rifle and Pistol Finals
China’s strength was evident throughout the week:
In women’s 10m air pistol, China’s Shen Yiyao and Yao Qianxun secured a 1-2 finish, with Shen claiming gold — an impressive achievement for a World Cup debutant — ahead of Yao’s silver.
Yang Yuhao added to the tally with gold in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event, further bolstering China’s medal count.
India also shone early in the World Cup with Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli winning the 10m air pistol mixed team gold in a world record performance, although China’s overall depth ensured they dominated the final standings.
Final Medal Standings
China finished first on the medal table, amassing eight gold, three silver and two bronze medals across the week, a testament to their breadth and consistency in both rifle and pistol disciplines. Germany followed with one gold and one silver, while India secured one gold through their mixed team success.
As the Granada World Cup concludes, China’s shooters have sent a clear message ahead of the remainder of the 2026 ISSF World Cup circuit — combining seasoned champions with rising stars to maintain their stature at the pinnacle of international shooting sport.
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