KUNMING, Southwest China, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese marksmen are aiming for a big breakthrough at the Beijing Paralympics 2008 to collect as many as possible gold medals in all the events for the disabled.

Zhou Xiaojie, a senior official of the Chinese Paralympic Sports Administrative Center, told Xinhua that the shooters are preparing wholeheartedly for the Beijing Paralympics in order to get the best results.

"We hope to claim more golds in 2008 than before, there should be a boost in the shooting events."

China enjoys big advantage in the Olympic shooting events, but with regard to Paralympics, things are different. China got their first Paralympic shooting silver in Atlanta in 1996, and won a gold and a silver four years later in Sydney. In Athens they only claimed one gold.

In order to change the mediocre situation, several plans have been mapped out and put into effect. There will be five to six disabled Chinese athletes to compete in every discipline in 2008, and the national team will be made up of around 60 to 70 shooters. In Athens, China only dispatched about 20 marksmen and markswomen.

Besides, the Chinese shooters will take part in more international competitions to gain the required points and experience. Up to now, more than 30 athletes have got enough points to qualify for the Beijing Paralympics.

And the Chinese top shooters have shown good form in the ongoing 7th National Games for the Disabled, the last big rehearsal for the Beijing Paralympics. They have already surpassed two world records, and the veterans made some steady performance to prove their maturity in big events.

"Men's and women's air pistol, men's air rifle standing and some mixed events are our major hopeful breakthrough at the Beijing Paralympics. Some famous shooters will compete in four events to collect more golds," said national team coach Wang Lijia.