Chen Ying from China took her first world title at the women's 25-meter pistol event on Friday at the 49th Shooting World Championships.

The 28-year-old Chen won a bronze medal in the shooting worlds in Lahti four years ago in her first appearance of the tournament.

"I've been waiting for four years," said Chen. "The days were hard for me. I'm very glad to become the new world champion today."

Chen, winner of the World Cup Final in 2005, collected 591 points in the qualification stage with six points adrift and led all the way in the 20-shot final, finishing with a total score of 792.8 points.

"I didn't do well in the final," said Chen. "Normally I shall score around 205 points, but today I have only 201.8 points."

China's youngster Fei Fengji shot the highest of 205.4 points in the final, holding on the second position with a total of 790.4 points.

"I didn't do well in the rapid stage of the qualification round, " said Fei, 23. "I didn't get enough train recently due to a shoulder injury."

Gungdegmaa Otryad from Mongolia, 28, took the bronze medal with 785.2 points. The five-time world cup winner started the final round on the fifth position and finished the third.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2006)