Veteran Chen Dongqi could finally fulfill her Olympic dream after the 32-year-old won a ticket to Tokyo through the Chinese shooting Olympic qualification series.
China won full Tokyo 2020 quotas in both the pistol and rifle events, which means the top two athletes from the qualification series in individual events will qualify for the Olympics.
Chen came second in the women's 50m rifle three positions final here on Saturday with 457.9 points, beating close rivals Wang Zeru and Gao Ying to secure a berth on China's roster for Tokyo.
Chen Dongqi
Shi Mengyao, who already earned a ticket with a big enough lead on the total qualification point tally, won gold with 463.0 points.
"I'm absolutely happy to qualify for Tokyo," said Chen, who missed the chance for Rio 2016 finishing third in the qualification series five years ago.
"But I'm fully aware that I still have many shortcomings. If I'm going to the Olympics, I have to fix them to ensure that the hard-earned chance is not wasted."
Chen had a strong opening, especially in the prone position, after which she stood first at 313.4 points. However, when the excited audience was busy guessing if she could best the world record of 464.7, she struggled in the standing position, and wrapped up the match with a surprising 7.7-point shot.
"I was not confident enough to stay determined in the standing position, and I thought too much when it came to the last few shots," explained the 2014 world silver medalist, adding that she has not set a goal for her Olympic debut as she was not sure if she could qualify before this last stop in Guangzhou.
"In the following months, I'll just simply trust my coach, and do my job in everyday training, get my feet on solid ground," Chen said.
"I have been training with the national team for 10 years, and I'm already in my thirties. Now I don't have unrealistic thoughts. I just think about the process, and if I can do it right, the result won't be bad."
Shi, who was excited about her first Olympics, told reporters that she did not have a specific goal either.
"This is my first Olympic Games, so I do not have too many thoughts. I'll give my best and let's see where I can reach," said the 23-year-old.
Training under coach Du Li, the 2008 Olympic champion in women's 50m rifle three positions, Shi is under extra pressure to succeed again.
"Undoubtedly we have high expectations, but at the moment what I can do is doing my best and learning from her," Shi noted.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards banked in a go-ahead, 3-foot runner with 16.8 seconds and the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 19-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-103 on Sunday night.
Edwards scored 23 points. Julius Randle had 15 points, eight rebounds and the winning defensive possession against Victor Wembanyama, who had 29 points in 27 minutes in his return to San Antonio's starting lineup. The 7-foot-4 Frenchman had trouble shedding Randle and his upper-body strength, clanking a 16-foot jumper with 6.6 seconds to go.
De'Aaron Fox's 3-point heave near the buzzer missed, too, sending the Minnesota crowd into a frenzy after the back-and-forth finish between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Donte DiVincenzo scored 19 points with a major spark for the comeback from the 19-point deficit early in the third quarter for the Timberwolves (26-14), who are 16-6 since Thanksgiving Day.
Edwards gave the Wolves their first lead at 100-98 on a turnaround jumper with 2:19 remaining, before Harrison Barnes put the Spurs back in front with a 3-pointer.
Wembanyama was a plus-17 with seven rebounds and three steals to upstage his fellow Frenchman and ace rim protector Rudy Gobert. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner was outdone on both ends of the floor by Wembanyama, who has been on a minutes restriction since hyperextending his knee on Dec. 31 and missing two games. Wembanyama missed 12 games earlier this season with calf tightness.
Naz Reid had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolves, who played without head coach Chris Finch due to illness and were down 16-0 before finally making their first basket 4:39 into the game. Assistant coach Micah Nori took the lead on the bench for Finch.
Spurs: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.
Timberwolves: At Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) grabs a pass as Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts next to referee Courtney Kirkland during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama walks to the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after making a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, celebrates as time in an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
