Chinese air rifle athlete Yang Haoran at the 2016 Rio Games. Photo: VCG

After three attempts, young talented Chinese air rifle athlete Yang Haoran finally won gold at the Olympic Games on Tuesday while paired up with China's double medalist shooter Yang Qian in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team final competition in Tokyo. 

Yang Haoran, a 25-year-old athlete with a natural gift for shooting, only needed an Olympic gold medal to reach the "grand" pinnacle of his career, which he sadly missed out on at the 2016 Rio Games, where he ranked 31st and missed his ticket to get into the final round of the competition. 

"Don't wait up for me, maybe I'll be farming by then," Yang said in an interview with media after the 2016 competition. 

After the loss, Yang became reflective and felt a bit puzzled, but still wished to continue his athletic career so he could keep pursuing what he calls his "lifetime passion." 

He once again devoted himself to preparing to win the gold. Before the Tokyo Games, Yang won first place in all three trials, which included men's 10-meter air rifle and 10-meter air rifle mixed team events, held within China's national team. He also set a new national record in the 10-meter air rifle qualifications for a third time during the China National Championships

Even with his passion and talent, Yang still was not quite there yet as the Tokyo Games kicked off. He missed out on the gold in the men's 10-meter air rifle, but still managed to bring home a bronze. 

Not giving up, Yang finally achieved his gold medal goal in a team up with Yang Qian in the 10-meter air rifle mixed team final competition. 

The team also ranked in first during the qualifications and finally defeated the competitive US athletes in the finals to win China's its 9th gold medal at the Tokyo Games.