Gold medalist Li Yuehong (C) of China, silver medalist Cho Yeong-jae of South Korea (L) and bronze medalist Wang Xinjie (R) of China celebrate on the podium during the men's 25-meter rapid fire pistol shooting final medal ceremony at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in Chateauroux, France, August 5, 2024. /CFP
Seasoned shooter Li Yuehong achieved a monumental feat on the tenth full day of action at the 2024 Paris Summer Games, after securing China's first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men's 25-meter rapid fire pistol event.
The silver went to South Korea's Cho Yeong-jae, marking his country's inaugural medal in the discipline at the Games, while Li's compatriot Wang Xinjie took home the bronze.
Li, 34, is the oldest member of the Chinese shooting team and boasts a wealth of Olympic experience. Paris 2024 marked his third appearance at the Games, having previously clinched bronze medals at the last two editions in Rio and Tokyo.
China's Li Yuehong competes in the men's 25-meter rapid fire pistol shooting final at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in Chateauroux, France, August 5, 2024. /CFP
Over the past year, Li has showcased exceptional form. At the 2023 Shooting World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, he shattered a five-year-old world record by hitting 39 out of 40 shots, underscoring his unparalleled dominance.
With triumphs at the Hangzhou Asian Games and two World Cup stages, Li has consistently emerged victorious, and returning to the Olympic arena, he finally realized his long-held dream of standing atop the awards podium in the French capital.