Tan targeting a shot at Tokyo gold

TIANJIN — After his third National Games victory in seven competitions on Wednesday, veteran shooter Tan Zongliang is setting his sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It was a magic week for the fivetime Olympian from Shandong, who will turn 46 in two months.

“I’m lucky to make fifth place as I’m nearly 46, but shooting is and will continue to be my life pursuit,” Tan said after Monday’s 50m pistol qualifiers.

The runner-up in the men’s slow fire pistol at the 2008 Beijing Olympics rebounded to take gold in Wednesday’s final of the 10m air pistol with 242.3 points after 10 shots — 2.2 points ahead of his closest rival.

Tan’s score also surpassed the world record of 241.6 points, set in March by Christian Reitz of Germany at the European Shooting Championship in Slovenia.

Bothered by neck pain for several weeks, Tan received treatment from mid June to late July, which meant he had little training for the event. He attributes his success to having peace of mind.

“It was a perfect match. The gold was unexpected but well-deserved, because I focused on every shot without any thought of the result,” he said.

“It’s an honor to make the final for a shooter, especially for an older shooter.”

Wang Yifu, former coach of the national shooting squad, who attended six National Games as an athlete, once said that Tan’s weakness was his hyper focus on medals.

“I have never dared to think about another gold except in my dreams,” said Tan. “I am lucky, but I must say that the gold medal mainly came as a result of my inner strength.”

Tan has reaped three golds and a silver from the Chinese National Games since 1993.

“My love for shooting keeps me fighting. It makes me more composed and mature,” said Tan. “I am very glad to join our national team, but my age may fail me as an athlete.”

In addition to the title and the record, Tan won respect from his younger rivals.

“Brother Tan is my model, and it is an honor to compete with him,” said 18-year-old Wang Zhehao of Xinjiang, who took the bronze in his first National Games competition.

Tan started shooting when he was in the eighth grade, and was summoned to the Shandong provincial team in 1988.

In 1993, he was selected for the national squad. He has since competed in five Olympics.

“I definitely want to shoot in Tokyo, because it is my dream to win an Olympic gold,” Tan said. “I will try my best to see if there is an opportunity to compete in Tokyo.”