China's Han Jiayu and Huang Yuting won the women's 10m air rifle gold and bronze, repectively, at the ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan on Friday. Meanwhile, Olympic silver medalist Sheng Lihao won bronze in the men's 10m air rifle.

Han entered the final with a leading 634.3 points from the qualification round which grants eight berths.

Han and Huang led the field after two series, but Nancy from India overtook Han before the last two shots by 0.1 point. Han maintained her composure and secured her maiden World Cup title with an overall advantage of 0.7 point over Nancy with 254.0 points.

After winning a mixed team gold on Thursday, Sheng continued to look sharp in the individual event by refreshing his own world record of 637.9 points in the qualification round. His previous record of 635.4 points was set in Bhopal, India in March.

In the final, however, a 9.9 points in the 21st shot cost him the chance to challenge Zalan Pekler of Hungary for the title, who led all the way to win gold with 252.4 points. Hriday Hazarika of India took silver 0.5 points behind.

The Baku leg continues on Saturday with the women's 25m pistol and men's 50m rifle 3 positions golds on offer, with four more legs remaining in this year's calendar. 

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: A view of the award ceremony of women's 10m air rifle at the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, May 12, 2023. /Xinhua)