Sollazzo stuns Sheng with world record in men's 10m air rifle at ISSF World Cup in Ningbo

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-09-11 21:38:15

Danilo Dennis Sollazzo in action in the men's 10m air rifle final at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of ISSF)

NINGBO, China, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Danilo Dennis Sollazzo of Italy delivered a stunning performance to dethrone home favorite Sheng Lihao in the men's 10m air rifle final, capturing gold with a new world record on Thursday.

Olympic champion Sheng topped qualification with 637.1 points, 3.6 ahead of second-placed Sollazzo. But in the final, it was the 22-year-old Italian who seized control from the very beginning and never looked back, sealing his first international title of the year with 255 points, half a point above Sheng's previous world record set in 2024.

"I don't know how I felt in the final because I forgot all the emotions for attention. The only thing I know is I'm very happy," Sollazzo said. "Competing against Sheng for gold in such a high-level competition is very beautiful."

Sollazzo, who scored below 10.5 only twice across 24 shots, admitted he had no idea he was on the verge of breaking the world record. "I only see the target. I only knew I was leading by 0.9 from the monitor (before the last two shots). This is my first world record, and I hope it won't be the last."

He also praised Sheng as "a friendly rival," adding: "We are not enemies, just rivals. Outside competitions, we sometimes talk. We are friends."

Sheng Lihao (L) and Sollazzo greet with each other after the men's 10m air rifle final at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of ISSF)

Sheng finished with 253.5 points to claim silver-his second medal in Ningbo after pairing with Peng Xinlu for silver in the mixed team event on Tuesday. "I really enjoyed this match. I think I performed quite well, just like I usually do in training," said the world No. 1.

South Korea's Park Ha-jun secured bronze with 231.9 points.

In the women's 25m pistol, Yao Qianxun led a Chinese sweep of the top three qualification spots with 594 points, while Olympic 10m air pistol champion Oh Ye-jin spearheaded a South Korean trio.

Xiao Jiaruixuan of China (R) pose for a photo during the award ceremony at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, Sept 11, 2025. (Xinhua)

The final turned into a China-Korea showdown after five series. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Xiao Jiaruixuan edged teammate Zhang Yueyue in a shoot-off to stay in contention, but was the last Chinese shooter standing. In the end, reigning Olympic champion Yang Ji-in of South Korea prevailed with 39 hits, two ahead of teammate Oh, to secure the gold. Xiao earned bronze in her first senior World Cup final.

The Ningbo World Cup continues Friday with the women's 50m rifle 3 positions final. ■