China capture gold and silver in mixed team events at ISSF World Cup

China's Hu Kai and Yao Qianxun clinched the mixed team 10-meter air pistol title, while Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao finished as runners-up in the mixed team 10m air rifle final, as the Munich leg of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup wrapped up Saturday.

Wang and Sheng, the respective world record holders in their individual events, led the qualification round with a new world record score of 635.9 points, 0.1 better than the previous mark. They then delivered a solid performance in the final, but fell short and settled for silver, while India's Arya Borse and Arjun Babuta claimed gold.

Despite registering two points in the opening round, the Chinese duo fell behind 14-3 and ultimately lost 17-7, as the Indian pair produced a string of high 10s to close out the win. Jeanette Hegg Duestad and Jon-Hermann Hegg of Norway finished with bronze.

Wang was a standout performer throughout the week. The 18-year-old had earlier secured gold in the women's 10m air rifle, setting new junior and overall qualification world records, while staying unbeaten on the World Cup circuit in the event this season. Her partner Sheng added to his bronze medal from Thursday's men's individual competition.

In the mixed team 10-meter air pistol, Hu and Yao put on a commanding display in the final, racing out to an 8-0 lead and holding off a brief challenge to enjoy a convincing 16-4 victory over Elmira Karapetyan and Benik Khlghatyan of Armenia.

The win marked a fourth World Cup gold for Hu, who collected his third consecutive victory in the individual event on Tuesday. Yao added to her medal tally after earning bronze in women's individual event.

Germany's Doreen Vennekamp and Christian Reitz defeated Olympic champions Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec of Serbia 17-13 in the bronze medal contest.

The mixed team results cemented China's top position in the medal tally with four golds, one silver, and two bronzes. Norway ranked second with two golds, one silver, and one bronze, while India ended up third with two golds and two bronzes.

The next World Cup rifle and pistol event will take place in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, from September 7 to 15.