Olympic shooting champion Wang Yifu has been appointed as head coach of China's National Shooting Team.

The new national shooting team is divided into two squads -- the pistol and rifle team and the trap team.

Wang Yifu, who was also named as the coach of the pistol and rifle squad, hopes that he can impart to the youngsters his experience through Olympic Games competition.

Meanwhile, Wang says that despite his coaching job, he intends to carry on with his training, and will also compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics if his form is good enough.

The 45-year-old is one of China's greatest marksmen from the past 20 years. He has taken part in six straight Olympics since 1984, and won two air pistol gold medals in Barcelona and Athens respectively.

(CRIENGLISH.com  January 16, 2005)