by sportswriters Wang Meng, Niu Mengtong and Yao Bing

CAIRO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- While most shooters at the ISSF World Championships keep their eyes on the target and their minds focused between shots, 21-year-old Ni Zhixin did something different.

Standing back when it was not his turn to shoot in the men's 25-meter rapid fire pistol final, the Chinese newcomer pulled out a small notebook and began to write.

He wasn't recording techniques or statistics. Instead, Ni was writing short messages of encouragement to himself.

"Did very well, just dare to shoot!" he scribbled in one round.

"Good job, believe in yourself, be decisive," in another.

"No problem, just dare to execute."

The messages, scrawled in quick, slightly messy handwriting, became a conversation with himself and a way to stay calm, focused and confident amid competition.

That habit helped Ni, together with teammates Su Lianbofan and He Shiyu, secure silver in the men's team event with a combined 1,740 points, eight behind Germany. Later the same day, he finished fifth in the individual final. It was a solid debut for a shooter who joined the Shandong provincial team at the end of 2022.

"I started taking notes after seeing Olympic champion Li Yuehong do it," Ni revealed. "I didn't even know what he was writing, but I thought maybe it could help me too, and I just do it my own way."

Li, the reigning Olympic champion and one of China's most decorated pistol shooters, has long been a model for younger athletes. Ni trains under the same coach, Zhang Jianwei, who has guided both men.

"Yuehong set an example," Zhang said. "When I was an athlete, most of us used to take notes, writing down where the bullets landed, how each shot felt. Now, not many athletes still do that seriously. But both Li and Ni keep that habit, writing after each round."

"It doesn't affect their rhythm," he explained. "It actually helps them start fresh for the next set."

For Ni, the habit began as a way to relieve tension. "You'll definitely feel nervous," he said. "But instead of overthinking the next shot, I summarize the last one. Once I write it down, that round is over, and I can focus on the next."

When asked to rate his performance, Ni gave himself 80 out of 100. "I'm satisfied overall," he said. "There's still room to improve, and that's what I'll work on in training."

Ni began with air pistol before switching to rapid fire in 2019. Last month, he teamed up with Li Yuehong and Liu Shuai to win the men's team gold at China's 15th National Games.

Zhang said Ni's reflective approach can help him progress. "Writing is his way to reset," Zhang said. "Once he finishes the note, he's ready again. That's maturity."

As for Ni, his notebook remains a steady anchor during competition. The words "Believe in yourself. Be decisive." echoed beyond the page, steadying his hand at the start of a promising international journey.

Related Story

• China's Sheng Lihao wins 2nd Paris Olympic gold with men's 10m air rifle victory(08-29 19:31)
• Olympics | Day 13: Chinese diver defends Olympic title, weightlifting debutant claims gold(08-09 16:50)
• Olympics | Chinese weightlifters Hou, Li retain gold at Paris 2024(08-08 14:26)
• Olympics | Day 12: Chinese weightlifters retain Olympic golds, artistic swimming team make history(08-08 14:23)
• Olympics | Chinese diver Quan defends women's 10m platform title at Paris Games(08-07 22:37)