The final showdown for rifle and pistol athletes before the ISSF World Championship is about to get underway, as the fourth leg of the ISSF World Cup officially opened today in Ningbo, China.
ISSF President Luciano Rossi was amongst the speakers during the Opening Ceremony, which took place at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center.
President Rossi said: "It is a privilege to be in Ningbo and to return to China for a major ISSF event that will see the participation of 42 National Federations and 320 athletes. China has consistently demonstrated its strength in shooting sports, significantly contributing to the global advancement of the discipline. During the 2025 ISSF World Cup season, three Chinese shooters remained unbeaten, further establishing China's reputation for excellence.
"Such success is a testament to the outstanding work of the Chinese Shooting Federation. Congratulations are due to President Liang Chun and the ISSF Vice President Yifu Wang, as well as the impressive team that includes the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau and the Ningbo Municipal Government. Their dedication and organisation have made this World Cup competition possible.
"Since taking on the role of President at the end of 2022, a dedicated team has worked to ensure that the ISSF becomes a truly global and democratic federation at the heart of the Olympic Movement.
"We are committed to expanding the sport worldwide, and I am delighted that between 2023 and 2026 14 ISSF competitions have been organised in Asia, which is helping us to develop and market the sport to new audiences."
Also speaking were Zhang Li, the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee and Liang Chun, President of the Chinese Shooting Association (CSA).
President of the CSA, Liang Chun, said: "Under the excellent leadership of the ISSF, shooting sport is gaining tremendous momentum across the world, with significant improvement in competition performance and global influence. Especially in recent years, President Rossi and his team have adopted many positive policies to support continents and member federations to host competitions, courses and training camps, thus contributing to further popularity and development of our beloved sport.
"Ningbo is a highly-open city, full of dynamism and competition organisation experience. That it has been selected as the hosting city of a ISSF World Cup this year proves the ISSF’s trust in and recognition of Chinese Shooting Association as well as the city of Ningbo. We will take it as a great opportunity to connect with all member federations, to promote development of shooting sport in China, and to demonstrate the country’s great passion and enthusiasm to our beloved sport."
ISSF President Luciano Rossi was amongst the speakers during the Opening Ceremony, which took place at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center.
President Rossi said: "It is a privilege to be in Ningbo and to return to China for a major ISSF event that will see the participation of 42 National Federations and 320 athletes. China has consistently demonstrated its strength in shooting sports, significantly contributing to the global advancement of the discipline. During the 2025 ISSF World Cup season, three Chinese shooters remained unbeaten, further establishing China's reputation for excellence.
"Such success is a testament to the outstanding work of the Chinese Shooting Federation. Congratulations are due to President Liang Chun and the ISSF Vice President Yifu Wang, as well as the impressive team that includes the Zhejiang Provincial Sports Bureau and the Ningbo Municipal Government. Their dedication and organisation have made this World Cup competition possible.
"Since taking on the role of President at the end of 2022, a dedicated team has worked to ensure that the ISSF becomes a truly global and democratic federation at the heart of the Olympic Movement.
"We are committed to expanding the sport worldwide, and I am delighted that between 2023 and 2026 14 ISSF competitions have been organised in Asia, which is helping us to develop and market the sport to new audiences."
Also speaking were Zhang Li, the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Ningbo Municipal Committee and Liang Chun, President of the Chinese Shooting Association (CSA).
President of the CSA, Liang Chun, said: "Under the excellent leadership of the ISSF, shooting sport is gaining tremendous momentum across the world, with significant improvement in competition performance and global influence. Especially in recent years, President Rossi and his team have adopted many positive policies to support continents and member federations to host competitions, courses and training camps, thus contributing to further popularity and development of our beloved sport.
"Ningbo is a highly-open city, full of dynamism and competition organisation experience. That it has been selected as the hosting city of a ISSF World Cup this year proves the ISSF’s trust in and recognition of Chinese Shooting Association as well as the city of Ningbo. We will take it as a great opportunity to connect with all member federations, to promote development of shooting sport in China, and to demonstrate the country’s great passion and enthusiasm to our beloved sport."
ISSF President Luciano Rossi provided a warm speech to organisers (Copyright: Ningbo OC)During the event, there were traditional Chinese performances, including the Meishan Lion Dance, which combines the folk characteristics of eastern Zhejiang with traditional Southern Lion Dance techniques, featuring vibrant, colourful dragons.
There was also a dance showing the transformation of a fish into a dragon, based on the legend of an ao fish turning into an ao dragon in Xiangshan, Ningbo. The ao fish is a creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body, formed after golden and silver carp secretly swallowed the dragon pearl in the sea. This dance focuses on the cultural heritage of the region of Zhejiang, where fishing is prominent.
Also featured was a performance named "The Elegance of Yue Porcelain", with music made by kitchenware such as ceramic cups and bowls, famous during the Tang Dynasty over one thousand years ago.
Following the Opening Ceremony, President Rossi met with Zhang Shan, the Chinese shooter who won the gold medal in skeet at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. With her victory, she became the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a mixed gender event.
The results at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo will determine the line-up for the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, Qatar.
The ISSF World Cup is to take place from September 9 to 14.
There was also a dance showing the transformation of a fish into a dragon, based on the legend of an ao fish turning into an ao dragon in Xiangshan, Ningbo. The ao fish is a creature with a dragon's head and a fish's body, formed after golden and silver carp secretly swallowed the dragon pearl in the sea. This dance focuses on the cultural heritage of the region of Zhejiang, where fishing is prominent.
Also featured was a performance named "The Elegance of Yue Porcelain", with music made by kitchenware such as ceramic cups and bowls, famous during the Tang Dynasty over one thousand years ago.
Following the Opening Ceremony, President Rossi met with Zhang Shan, the Chinese shooter who won the gold medal in skeet at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. With her victory, she became the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a mixed gender event.
The results at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo will determine the line-up for the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha, Qatar.
The ISSF World Cup is to take place from September 9 to 14.