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China is hoping Tao Luna and Ren Jie to maintain the gold-winning momentum in shooting as the duo will compete at the women's 10m air pistol event Sunday.

Debutant Du Li and veteran Wang Yifu handed China two gold medals in the first day of the Olympic shooting competition on Saturday, giving a huge boost to the Chinese shooting team, which aims to win three golds in Athens.

Tao, Sydney Olympic gold medallist in women's 10m air pistol, is in no doubt among the shooters to watch on Sunday.

But Xu Haifeng, head coach of the Chinese shooting team, said the Shanghai native faces an uphill battle here than four years ago in Sydney.

"Tao has yet to get in best shape," said Xu. "She is unlikely to retain the title, barring a miracle."

The 30-year-old, who has been struggling with her mediocre form since this year, was almost dropped out of the Chinese Olympic roster and earned a wildcard entrance at the last moment thanks toher fame.

Tao's teammate Ren, the world record holder, has a more realistic chance to win, said Xu.

"It depends on how she controls her game," he said.

Medal contenders for the women's 10m air pistol include Sydney Olympic silver medallist Jasna Sekaric of Serbia and Montenegro, Mongolia's world number one Gundegmaa Otryad and Russian Natalia Paderina.

The men's trap event, which had its first day of competition concluded on Saturday, is the other event to be decided Sunday.

World record holder Giovanni Pellielo of Italy lead day one's qualification with 74 hits out of 75. Russian Alexei Alipov is insecond place, also with 74 hits, while Bret Erickson of the UnitedStates third on 73.
 
Editor: Catherine