Xu Haifeng

Xu Haifeng, born on August 10, 1957, in Zhangzhou, Fujian, is a distinguished male sport shooter specializing in the 50 meter pistol event. His journey into the world of shooting began in February 1979 when he joined Anhui province's shooting team after being recommended by his physical education teacher and coach, Wang Zhenze. Initially participating in a training program organized by the Chaohu Regional Sports Committee, Xu quickly showcased his talent, earning a transfer to officially funded training within just twenty days.

By April of the same year, Xu had already made a significant impact at the 4th Provincial Games, where he broke two provincial records in the men's standard 40-shot air pistol standing and the men's standard small-bore rifle events, ultimately winning eight medals. His remarkable performance continued in August 1982 at the 5th Provincial Games, where he achieved an impressive score of three hundred seventy points with a domestically made Shuangling-brand air pistol, defeating competitors using high-end equipment from West Germany and setting a new provincial record.

In October 1982, Xu joined the Anhui Provincial Shooting Training Team, where he was guided by Coach Ou Debao, who would travel across Hefei to provide training plans. Xu's talent did not go unnoticed, and in 1983, he was recruited into the national team by coach Li Peilin. That year, he broke the national pistol record at the East China Regional Shooting Championships with a score of five hundred eighty-seven points and earned multiple medals at the Asian Shooting Championships and the National Games.

Xu Haifeng's crowning achievement came at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where he won the gold medal, marking a historic moment as the first athlete from the People's Republic of China to achieve this feat at a Summer Olympics. After retiring in 1995, he transitioned to coaching, becoming a pivotal figure in the Chinese National Shooting Team. His legacy continued as he served as the torchbearer for the Olympic Torch during the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony and carried the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia at the 2022 Asian Games.

Married to Zhao Lei, the daughter of his coach, Xu Haifeng is a proud father to their daughter, Xu Jia. He currently holds the position of Deputy Director of the Chinese Cycling and Fencing Administration Center, further contributing to the development of sports in China.