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Xu Haifeng, a noted marksman inChina, was born in the city ofHexianinEast China'sFujianProvinceonAugust 1, 1957. He was good at catapult from an early age and was once called the king of catapult by his neighbors.

In 1982, Xu entered the Anhui Provincial team and became a member of the national team one year later.

In that year, he finished 2^ndin men's air pistol, 3^rdin slow-fire free pistol in the Asian Championships before he collected the silver of slow-fire free pistol in the 5^thAsian Games.

The following year, Xu established his unique position inChina's sports history after grasping the gold of slow-fire free pistol in the 23^rdOlympic Games, becoming the first Chinese to win an Olympic gold.

During that competition, the journalists at first flocked hind world champion Ragnar Skanaker ofSweden. However, as the competition proceeded, their attention was drawn by a Chinese athlete in the No. 40 position. It was Xu Haifeng. At this time, Xu still had his last 10 shot to fire. He markedone tenrings and two consecutive nine rings. Then he faltered a littler in the noise of the journalists and scored lower rings with the next two shots. A sign rose among the spectators.

Xu sat down and closed his eyes for a while. As he took up his pistol again, he completely calmed down and scored nine and ten rings in a row. Before firing the last shot, he raised and put down his gun twice as all spectators held their breath and watched him. Then he pulled the trigger decisively -- ten rings! The gold went to the Chinese.

The following year, Xu continued his magic, sweeping four titles in the 10^thAsian Games. One year later, he ranked 2^ndin air pistol, 3^rdin slow-fire free pistol in the World Cup.

In 1988, Xu made his second appearance at the Olympics and won the air pistol bronze. At the 1990 Asian Games held inBeijing, he added two golds toChina's gold tally.

One year later, Xu collected 5 titles in the 7^thAsian Championships. In 1994, Xu helped China win the 10m air pistol team title in the 46^thWorld Championships before he grasped the slow-fire free pistol team gold.

After that year, Xu retired and began to coach the women's national team. Ever since then, he has produced several world champions forChina.