YanXiao Gong of Malibu, California, earned a silver medal in P3 Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at the Chateauroux Shooting Center, September 2. Gong’s medal marks the first Paralympic shooting medal for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Games.
Gong’s medal is the first men’s Paralympic medal for the U.S. since 2004 and the first Paralympic pistol medal for the U.S. in 40 years. He made his Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, but Paris 2024 marks his first medal.
“I think it is awesome,” U.S. National Paralympic Coach Brenda Silva said. “He fell a little short in Tokyo and this was his plan all along, a little redemption. He has definitely put in the work and had the mental game for it.”
Gong, who was the 2023 World Champion in P3, qualified for the Paralympic final this week after placing fourth in the qualification round with a score of 573-10X. P3 qualifications consists of a precision round and a rapid-fire round. Gong shot a 286 for the precision round, which ranked him in seventh place overall. Next, after shooting a 287 score in the rapid-fire round, he jumped to fourth place.
A two-time Parapan American medalist, Gong great in the final at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The P3 final consists only of rapid-fire competition. Athletes shoot a series of five shots where the scores are hit-or-miss only. A hit is any shot that is a 10.2 or higher. Through 10 series, Gong had 28 total hits, breaking the Paralympic final record.
Gong earned his silver medal after besting South Korean shooter Jungman Kim, who finished in third place. Gong had a final score of 28. However, he fell two hits short of Chao Yang of China, who won the gold medal.
Gong credits many people for helping him achieve Paralympic success. Among those is his coach In Kim from the Bridge Shooting Team in California. He started shooting with the team when he first started his rehabilitation after he sustained an injury from surfing.
“I feel incredibly proud and inspired by Xiao's achievement at the Paralympics in Paris,” Kim said. “His dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and his winning a medal is a testament to his strength and resilience.”
Gong’s shooting career has taken off after making his Paralympic debut in Tokyo. He brought home three medals from the 2021 World Shooting Para Sport Lima World Cup. Then at the 2022 World Shooting Para Sport Peru Grand Prix he earned two more medals. In addition, Gong secured the world champion title at the 2023 World Shooting Para Sport World Championships.
Shortly after the world championships, Gong earned his two Parapan American medals in Santiago last year.
When asked if she expected Gong to earn a Paralympic medal, Coach Brenda Silva mentioned how she knew he could achieve the goal.
“Expect is a large word, but yes,” she said. “I knew he was totally capable to do it.”
Gong is proud to represent the Bridge Shooting Team on the Paralympic stage. His former coach, In Kim, echoed this sentiment.
“It’s an immense source of pride and joy for the Bridge Shooting Team to have developed a Paralympic medalist,” Kim said. “This accomplishment reflects the team’s dedication and the unwavering support they’ve provided. Seeing one of our athletes succeed on such a prestigious stage is both rewarding and inspiring.”
Brent McPherson, a longtime USA Shooting staff member, has also been able to coach Gong on his Paralympic journey at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“Xiao is one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” McPherson said. “I can’t express how proud I am of his accomplishments. His hard work and determination are invigorating! I am honored to have shared his journey, and I am extremely proud to call Xiao a close and special friend.”
Gong also competed in the P4 mixed 50m pistol event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, finishing in eighth place.
Learn more about USA Shooting at usashooting.org.
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