Taking a Shot at Two Dreams: From Film School to the Paralympics
The Los Angeles Film School alumnus YanXiao Gong was always a straight shooter. From a young age, he developed two passions: film making and firearms.
From his childhood in Shanghai, China, YanXiao became fascinated with guns. While in middle school in South Pasadena, California, he stumbled on the competitive sport of shooting with his coach In Hyun Kim, developing skills that would later define his athletic career. But filmmaking was always a parallel interest. The creative possibilities of visual storytelling captured his imagination just as strongly as the precision of target shooting.
A pivotal moment came when a surfing injury forced him to pause and reassess his path during his freshman year at Malibu High School. This pause led him to contemplate the purpose of his future. Convinced that film is the most effective medium preserving the continuity of human values, he aspired to become a filmmaker. Rather than viewing the setback as an obstacle, YanXiao saw it as an opportunity to explore his filmmaking aspirations more deeply. His search led him to The Los Angeles Film School. YanXiao was attracted to the academic atmosphere and even more intrigued that the school operated in the middle of where films – and dreams – are made: Hollywood. The L.A. Film School soon became like a second home – he’d never felt more fascinated by his surroundings, and he felt like he had every tool he needed to succeed in his studies. The school’s reputation for hands-on learning and industry connections made it an ideal choice for someone eager to translate creative vision into reality. He was drawn to production design, directing, editing, and post-production. He was on his way to achieving his dream.
Journey to Becoming a World Champion
However, life had other plans. As his academic career progressed, YanXiao’s exceptional talent in competitive shooting began drawing international attention. With the help of his coaches In Hyun Kim, Brenda Silva, and Brent McPherson, he discovered a path that would lead him away from Los Angeles. Faced with this challenging decision, he chose to pause his studies temporarily when the opportunity arose to train at the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. His dedication paid off, leading to numerous victories on the world stage representing the United States, from a National to Grand Prix Champion, from Pan American to World Champion. With many stops in between, the journey prepared him for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris where he later won a silver medal during those games, marking the first U.S. pistol medal since the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles. YanXiao now finds himself as the most decorated Paralympian in the history of USA Shooting. He credits most of his achievements to his coach In Hyun Kim, who unwaveringly supported him during his darkest hours after his injury in high school, and who pushed him to stand upon the highest podium.
YanXiao Gong’s Next Chapter
Now, after his extraordinary success, YanXiao is starting to think about his film passion once again. He remembers the “supportive and vibrant” community of students and instructors, the hands-on instruction, and the excitement of learning something new at The Los Angeles Film School. He credits the years at the film school for having played a key role in preparing him for what was to come in his Paralympic journey. He’s still focused on his shooting career, but looking to the future, a future that will likely mark a return to the campus he loves.