Her impassive facial expression, the panda hanging from her bag and, of course, her white hair clip...

Everything about China's shooting star Huang Yuting has come under scrutiny among her growing legion of fans since the 17-year-old prodigy, alongside her partner Sheng Lihao, claimed the gold medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the Paris Olympics on July 27.

Two days later, on July 29, Huang added a silver medal to her tally in the women's 10m air rifle final.

It must all be a little overwhelming, even for the seemingly unflappable teen, especially given her small-town roots in an unassuming village in Huangyan district, Taizhou city of Zhejiang province.

A village that can now boast an Olympic champion.

Her parents, both ordinary workers — her father works at a local factory, while her mother works at a kindergarten — played a pivotal role in setting her on the path to glory.

Each year, the local amateur sports school in Huangyan district selects potential talent from the area's elementary schools. Huang, demonstrating excellent coordination, stability, reflexes and physical fitness, was chosen to receive more formal training.

"At that time, our eldest daughter was a bit skinny, so we wanted her to engage in some physical activity to become more independent," her father explained. "Although we didn't understand much about shooting at first, it was a government program, and we saw it as a good hobby."

Starting at the age of 10, Huang's training regimen was rigorous. She balanced her schoolwork and shooting practice with remarkable discipline. Her daily routine involved heading to the sports school after her regular school hours, training for nearly an hour, and then returning home to complete her homework. Weekends were dedicated to more intensive training sessions.

Her first coach, Lin Kehan, who began working with Huang in 2017, recalls her being a quiet and diligent student. "She was always serious and dedicated, never missing a session," he said.

Recognizing her potential, Lin spoke with Huang's parents to ensure she received the necessary support and the family moved closer to the training facility to accommodate her rigorous training schedule.

It was the encouragement she needed, and Huang's independence and strong work ethic came to the fore.

"She has always been self-sufficient, never relying too much on us for anything," her father remarked. "She organizes her activities and studies meticulously, requiring minimal supervision."

Putting in the work

Her hard work quickly paid off. Only one year after picking up the sport, Huang had already achieved impressive results in provincial-level competitions.

In 2019, she dominated the National U18 Shooting Championships in Nanjing, winning golds in the individual, team and mixed team events.

In 2020, she joined the Zhejiang provincial shooting team, continuing her upward trajectory in the sport.

However, Huang's journey from a small district team to the national team was not without its challenges.

The local training facilities initially lacked electronic targets, which are essential for high-level competition. With the support of the school's principal, the training center was upgraded, significantly improving the quality of her sessions there.

The demands of training often kept Huang away from her family for long periods, and her last visit home was after the Asian Games in November last year.

"She started training away from home in her first year of junior high school," her father shared. "We often only see her once or twice a year. She is always busy training during the Chinese New Year, and never comes home for the holiday."

Despite the distance, her family stays connected with her through video calls. Her mother and younger sister are her main sources of emotional support.

"When we see that she is feeling down, we try to cheer her up with interesting stories and lighthearted conversations. She never talks about the difficulties she faces, and we don't ask. She has always been very independent and never complains," her father said.

Hometown honor

She strives for perfection, Lin observed, noting: "While others might practice one shot, she will practice three. Her dedication to pre-shot routines and practice is also remarkable."

Pre-shot routines involve practicing the shooting action without live ammunition, which is crucial for honing precision.

"Her commitment during these sessions, despite their monotony, speaks volumes about her willpower and determination," Lin said.

Her coaches at the provincial level also noted her exceptional dedication, even though training can be repetitive and dull. It is this level of investment that she has put into her training that is reflected in her results in Paris.

Results that have brought immense pride to her hometown.

She is the first athlete from Huangyan district to win an Olympic gold and silver medal, and people there will be hoping they're the first of many more.

"She still has many opportunities ahead," Lin said. "Standing on the Olympic podium is a testament to our collective efforts and dreams."