Chinese shooter Zhang Qiongyue has recently garnered significant attention at the Paris Summer Olympics 2024, not just for her athletic prowess but also for the unique personalization of her equipment. Zhang won the bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions final. However, it was her rifle, adorned with Hello Kitty stickers, that truly captured public fascination.
Zhang’s performance marked a notable achievement for China, as this bronze medal was the country’s first in this event since the Rio 2016 Olympics. Despite the intense competition, Zhang’s rifle stood out with its distinctive Hello Kitty decals, drawing widespread admiration and curiosity on social media platforms. Many users took to X (formerly Twitter) to share images of the decorated rifle and express their surprise and delight over this personal touch.
The success of Zhang Qiongyue was part of a broader strong showing by Chinese shooters at the Paris Olympics. In addition to her bronze, China secured several other medals in shooting events: Sheng Lihao won gold in the men’s 10m air rifle, Xie Yu claimed gold in the men’s 10m air pistol, and Liu Yukun emerged victorious in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final. Huang Yuting earned a silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle, and Qi Ying took silver in the men’s trap final. The mixed team 10m air rifle final also saw Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting clinch gold.
Zhang’s distinctive rifle, decorated with Hello Kitty stickers, became a symbol of individuality amidst the intense Olympic competition. This personal detail, combined with her impressive athletic performance, helped her stand out and contributed to her story going viral.
