By Brittany Nelson, USAS Public Relations & Communications Manager
CHATEAUROUX, France (Sept. 4, 2024) – 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, Sept. 2. Gong’s medal marks the first Paralympic shooting medal for Team USA at the Paris Games.
YanXiao Gong (left) earned a silver medal in P3 Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Sept. 2 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Photo by Dan Shanebrook
Gong’s medal is the first male Paralympic medal for the U.S. since 2004 and the first Paralympic pistol medal for the U.S. since 1984. Gong made his Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games but Paris marks his first medal.
“I think it is awesome,” said Brenda Silva, the U.S. National Paralympic Coach. “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, the 2023 World Champion in P3, qualified for the Paralympic finals 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 had him sitting in seventh place overall. Then after shooting a 287 in the rapid fire round, he moved up to fourth place.
Gong, a two-time Parapan American medalist, shot a great final at the Games. The P3 finals consist only of rapid fire. Athletes shoot series of five shots where the scores are just a hit or miss. A hit is any shot that is a 10.2 or higher. Over the course of 10 series, Gong had 28 total hits, breaking the Paralympic finals record.
Gong earned his silver medal by besting Jungman Kim, of Korea, who finished third. Gong fell two hits short of Chao Yang, of China, who earned gold.
Gong credits many people for helping him achieve Paralympic success. Among those is his coach In Kim from the Bridge Shooting Team in California. Gong 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,” said Kim. “His dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and his winning a medal is a testament to his strength and resilience.”
Gong has seen a lot of success in his shooting career his he made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo. He took home three medals at the 2021 World Shooting Para Shooting (WSPS) Lima World Cup. Then at the 2022 WSPS Peru Grand Prix he earned two more medals. Gong then took home the world champion title at the 2023 WSPS World Championships.
Shortly after the world championships, Gong earned his two Parapan American medals in Santiago in 2023. When asked if she expected Gong to earn a Paralympic medal, Silva mentioned how she knew he could achieve the goal.
“Expect is a large word, but yes,” said Silva. “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,” said Kim. “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 long time USA Shooting staff member, has also been able to coach Gong on his Paralympic journey in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.
“Xiao is one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” said McPherson. “I can’t express how proud I am of his accomplishments! His hard work and determination are invigorating! I am very honored to have shared his journey, and I am extremely proud to call Xiao a close and special friend.”