The Barcelona 1992 gold medalist shares lessons on pursuing dreams, overcoming setbacks, and finding purpose beyond winning.
On September 3, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKU Shenzhen) kicked off its Orientation Week for the Class of 2026 with a special talk by Olympic shooting champion Zhang Shan.
Zhang, who won gold in mixed skeet shooting at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, shared her journey in a talk titled “Start with a Dream, Become the Person You Aspire to Be.” The event was also the 11th session of the PKU Shenzhen Youth Forum and was hosted by Zuo Teng, Secretary of the PKU Shenzhen Youth League Committee.
Zhang Shan speaks to incoming students
A Dream That Began at 13
Zhang’s journey as an athlete began long before she picked up a shotgun. She started playing basketball at age six and learned the value of discipline through early-morning training.
When she was 13, her hometown was struck by severe flooding. While staying in a temporary classroom, she listened to radio coverage of China’s women’s volleyball team winning its first world championship. Inspired by the team’s determination, she began dreaming of representing her country on the world stage.
At 16, with her parents’ support, Zhang made a life-changing decision: she chose competitive shooting over taking the national college entrance examination.
Training facilities were limited. Much of her practice involved repeatedly raising her gun, aiming at a blank wall, and lowering it again. Through countless repetitions, she developed the focus and discipline that would define her athletic career.
Learning to Move Beyond Setbacks
Winning a world championship brought Zhang recognition, but it also brought the pressure to defend her title.
After an underwhelming performance in a subsequent competition, she realized that focusing too heavily on winning had begun to interfere with her performance. Learning to accept setbacks and let go of that pressure helped her regain her confidence.
She returned to competition with a renewed mindset and broke a world record at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
Two years later, she reached the pinnacle of her career at the Barcelona Olympics. Zhang hit all 200 targets in the qualifying round, setting a world record, before going on to win gold in mixed skeet shooting against a field that included male competitors.
Her victory became a landmark moment in Olympic shooting history.
Zhang Shan shares her athletic journey
Success Is More Than a Gold Medal
Looking back, Zhang told the students that the gold medal was the result of years of dedication, but it was never the only measure of success.
What mattered most, she explained, were the countless ordinary days spent working toward a dream: showing up for training, staying focused, and finding the courage to continue after disappointment.
She encouraged the Class of 2026 to hold on to what they love, set meaningful goals, and remain persistent when challenges arise.
For students beginning their graduate studies, her message offered a reminder that progress is not always immediate or visible. Whether in athletics, research, or everyday life, the journey itself can be as meaningful as the final achievement.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, as students raised questions and exchanged ideas with Zhang about her experiences and the lessons she had learned along the way.
Students participate in the Q&A session
