China to test sharpshooters at ISSF World Cup

(BEIJING, April 11) -- The 2008 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup will begin on April 12 in Beijing. With more than 1,600 participants, it will be the the largest of 42 sporting events included in the "Good Luck Beijing" series.

China to test 23 shooters for Olympics

China will be sending 23 shooters to the Olympic Games, selected at a national trial last March. In the ISSF World Cup, Du Li and Zhao Yinghui will lead the Chinese women in the 10m air rifle while Zhu Qinan will lead the men's team. Veterans Ren Jie, Chen Ying, Tan Zongliang and Zhang Penghui will compete in men's and women's air pistol and sporting pistol events, respectively. First time Olympians Pang Wei and GuoWenjun will get a chance in this tournament to rehearse for the Olympic Games. Wei Ning and Hu Binyuan will aim for victory in the women's skeet and men's double trap events, respectively.

A meet with strong contenders from abroad

This year's ISSF World Cup will bring top shooters from all around the world to Beijing, including representatives from powerhouses Russia, the United States, Germany and Italy -- the countries that have earned the most Olympic berths. Russia and Germany are dominant in the men's air pistol events while the USA and Italy still reign supreme in small-bore rifle and shotgun. The World Cup will give Chinese shooters an opportunity to gauge how they measure up against their western counterparts.

Test run of the Olympic venue

The World Cup will also allow Olympic organizers to examine the shooting venues, and their supporting facilities, before the start of the Games. Organizers hope the "Good Luck Beijing" event won't see any of the problems encountered at last month's Olympic trials, such as incorrect lighting of targets sheets and errors in the direction of propelled clay targets.

(Credit: The Official Website of "Good Luck Beijing" Sport Events)