The shooting competitions of the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games kicked off at Guangdong Shooting Range Hall in Tianhe district on Nov 29, with 82 athletes from 10 teams taking part.

Athletes compete with full focus during the shooting event. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Six gold medals were claimed on the first day. In the R4-Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 final, Hebei's Yang Chuangpeng won the first gold with 249.9 rings and broke the national record. In the afternoon's (P3-2) SH1 Mixed 25m Pistol Team competition, the Hunan team secured the gold with a clear advantage.

The venue has undergone "customized upgrades" to improve accessibility, with upgrades to pathways, restrooms, and signage. Transport plans included practice runs for barrier-free bus routes to ensure friction-free movement for the athletes. On-site, 188 well-trained volunteers provided professional services, which were highly praised by the athletes.

A volunteer assists an athlete backstage at the shooting competition venue. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Medical coverage was provided by two designated hospitals and four venue-based medical stations. A professional classification system, involving dedicated rooms and certified staff, assessed the functional abilities of 12 athletes to ensure equitable competition across impairment types.