ISSF World Cup Changwon: China and Russia shine on day-1

Press Release 17/2018

Zhao Ruozhu set a new world record at the women’s Air Rifle Final, while two Russian shooters pocketed gold and silver at the men’s event, on the opening day of the 2018 ISSF World Cup in Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun events in Changwon (KOR)

Changwon (KOR), 22 April 2018 - The 2018 ISSF World Cup in Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun events in Changwon, Republic of Korea, kicked-off today with the first two medal events, the women’s and men’s 10m Air Rifle Finals. 

People’s Republic of China’s Zhao Ruozhu ruled the women’s 10m Air Rifle medal match from the very first shot. Competing in the first world cup stage of her career, the 19-year-old shooter claimed the lead with a strong first series, and progressively building a consistent gap between her and her main rivals: Chinese Taipei’s 18-year-old Lin Ying-Shin and Norway’s 20-year-old Jenny Stene.

Zhao — who fired all of her 24 shots inside the 10th ring — maintained the top position all the way through the match, eventually setting a new World Record and a new Junior World Record with 252.4 points, 1.4-point ahead of Lin, who took silver with 250.0. Stene finished with 229.1 points and the bronze medal around her neck.

Earlier today, the Russian team triumphed with a gold-silver medal combo at the men’s 10m Air Rifle final, the opening event of this world cup stage. 

Alexander Dryagin, 27, beat his teammate Vladimir Maslennikov, 23, with 251.2 points - setting a new world record. Dryagin climbed up the scoreboard in the second half of the final match, after a relatively slow start. With an unmatchable series of deep 10s, he bested his teammate by 1.0 points, securing his first world cup stage gold in career. 

The two had also dueled at the European Championship in Gyor, Hungary, last February. There, Olympic Bronze medalist Vladimir Maslennikov won the match, securing the continental title, while leaving Dryagin in second. Tables turned today, as Maslennikov finished in second place with 250.2 points. 

The world ranking’s leader Istvan Peni, 21, from Hungary, followed them in third place, pocketing the Bronze medal with 228.5 points. The 2017 ISSF World Cup title holder, who started-off the season by winning the first world cup stage of the year in Guadalajara, Mexico, led most of today’s final, sliding then in third place as he fired a 10.0 and a 9.8 on his 21st and 22nd shots. 

13 more medal events will take place in the next days, at the ISSF World Cup in Changwon, right to the 29th of April. The event also serves as a test for the newly reconstructed shooting rage of Changwon, a modern venue that will host the 52nd ISSF World Championship, in September. 

The championship will continue tomorrow, April 23rd, with the women’s 25m Pistol Final, scheduled at 11.30 Korean Standard Time (GMT+9); the Mixed Team’s 10m Air Rifle Final at 13.45; and the women’s Trap Final at 16.15. Find the full schedule of the championship athttp://www.issf-sports.org/competitions/venue/schedule.ashx?cshipid=2391

All finals be streamed live on the ISSF website, on the Federation’s Livestream channel, and on its official Facebook page. 

Live results of the competitions, news and updates will be available on www.issf-sports.org and on all ISSF social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Weibo and Youku.

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10m Air Rifle Women Final results, click here.

10m Air Rifle Men Final results, click here.

For editorial photos click here.

Media Contact:
Marco DALLA DEA
ISSF Communication Manager
marco@issf-sports.org