Chinese shooter Shi wins first World Cup title

BEIJING, April 20 -- Chinese sharpshooter Shi Xinglong surpassed teammate Mai Jiajie in the last shot to win his first World Cup title here on Monday.

Trailing Mai by 0.1 points before the last shot, Shi fired a 10.4 in his last try for a winning total of 683.0 points in the men's 10m air pistol event at the Olympic Shooting Range of Beijing.

"I am not so excited, for me it's just another top three finish," said the 32-year-old shooter, the fourth finisher in Sunday's 50m pistol.

"Actually I started slowly in the qualifications, then my coach gave me some advice and I was able to do better thereafter," added Mai, who placed fifth in the qualification round.

"Before the final, I told myself not to think about winning or losing, just focus on my game. I am happy we won the gold for the Chinese team."

The 22-year-old Mai, a World Cup final debutant, was content with the silver medal after scoring a 10.1 in his last fire.

"It's a big surprise for me, I did not think that I could make it to the final," he said. "I am very happy that the first two places went to the Chinese team. It doesn't matter who gets the gold."

Yury Dauhapolau of Belarus took the bronze with 682.5 points while qualification leader Patrik Lengerer of Germany finished fourth on 681.5.