Paralympian Zhang Cuiping, born to be shooter

Zhang Cuiping bites her gold medal after winning the women's R2-10m air rifle standing at the London Paralympics, on Aug 30, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

LONDON - Shooting down the first gold of the London Paralympics in wheelchair on Thursday, breaking the 10-year-old world record with nine shots out of the final 10 above 10.3 points, Chinese veteran markswoman Zhang Cuiping hugged tightly with her coach, saying in low voice,"I made it."

Zhang, 25, who became a national team member in 2006 and pocketed two silver medals at the Beijing Paralympics, fulfilled her gold dream in London 2012, collecting 500.9 points in the women's R2-10m air rifle standing, which refreshed the world record of 499.3 points made by the Republic of Korea's Kim Im-yeon in 2002.

"I even didn't want to put down my rifle after the 10th shot in the final. I want to enjoy that moment," said Zhang after the duel. "I just showed my normal form. During my regular training, I could make one or two points more."

Zhang Cuiping reacts after winning the first gold medal at the London Paralympics, on Aug 30, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Meng Xiaoxing, deputy manager of the Chinese Paralympic shooting squad, said, "Zhang's concentration is great today. Her every shot in practise today was above 10 points."

During the qualification, Zhang broke the Paralympic record with 396 points, topping the finalists and boasted a three-point margin against the closest follower.

In the final, Zhang always triggered late, sometimes in the last. She said,"I prefer the tactic of shooting after others shot. In that occasion, it is easy for me to adjust myself."

As the first gold of the London Olympics also went to China in the almost same event, Zhang said, "I watched the women's 10m air rifle final at the London Olympics. It was really tough and Yi Siling did very well under great pressure. She is my inspirational idol."

Zhang started her shooting practise about nine years ago, despite suffering spinal cord injuries when she was three years old.

Zhang's coach Wang Ping told Xinhua, "Zhang is a veteran, but she trains very hard. She has a great mental strength. In a sense, she was born to be a shooter."

Zhang Haidi, left, the chairperson of China's Disabled Persons' Federation, congratulates Zhang Cuiping after she broke the world record to win the women's R2-10m air rifle standing at the London Paralympics, on Aug 30, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang Haidi, the chairperson of China's Disabled Persons' Federation, said, "I was a bit nervous while watching the final. But I believe her. She can make it."

After the Beijing Paralympics, Zhang Cuiping got married but she began to prepare for the London Paralympics three years ago. Zhang said in smile, "After the Beijing Games, I fulfilled the task of making a family. After the London Games, I hope to fulfil another task - making a baby."