With Olympic champions and world-class athletes spread across both Chinese teams, the gold medal contest lived up to expectations. The lead changed hands several times throughout the final before Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao produced a composed final series to secure victory with 505.0 points, finishing just ahead of teammates Du Yuchen and Zhang Changhong, who totalled 504.6.
The opening stage offered little indication of the drama to come. China 1 established an early advantage with 105.6, but China 2 responded immediately, moving ahead after the second stage with 211.8 compared with 210.6. The margin remained razor-thin through the third stage before the defending leaders regained control during the elimination rounds.
As the pressure intensified, every shot proved decisive. Wang and Sheng held their nerve over the closing series, preserving the slimmest of advantages to deliver a memorable home victory in front of the Hangzhou crowd.
As the pressure intensified, every shot proved decisive. Wang and Sheng held their nerve over the closing series, preserving the slimmest of advantages to deliver a memorable home victory in front of the Hangzhou crowd.
The victory adds another World Cup title to the remarkable careers of both athletes. Sheng Lihao, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion in the Men's 10m Air Rifle, once again demonstrated his composure on the biggest stage, while Wang Zifei continued her impressive rise with another gold medal at ISSF level.
The bronze medal went to India 2, represented by Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon. The pair remained in contention throughout the qualification stages before finishing with 441.2 points, comfortably securing third place.
India's first team, featuring Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Rakesh Mane, finished fourth with 378.8 after reaching the final stages of the competition.
The 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event once again underlined the extraordinary depth of talent in international rifle shooting. With two Chinese teams separated by less than half a point after more than 500 points of shooting, the final provided one of the most dramatic finishes of the Hangzhou World Cup, as the home nation celebrated a memorable one-two on the podium.
India's first team, featuring Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Rakesh Mane, finished fourth with 378.8 after reaching the final stages of the competition.
The 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event once again underlined the extraordinary depth of talent in international rifle shooting. With two Chinese teams separated by less than half a point after more than 500 points of shooting, the final provided one of the most dramatic finishes of the Hangzhou World Cup, as the home nation celebrated a memorable one-two on the podium.