Jelena Arunovic Finds a Second Home in China
Jelena Arunovic Finds a Second Home in China: At China’s National Games, Serbian coach Jelena Arunovic was the only foreign face on the range, intently guiding her Guangdong athletes. Just a year after helping her sister win Olympic gold in Paris, she has found a new purpose in China.
“For 15 years, I was expecting that call from China,” said Arunovic, who didn’t hesitate to accept the coaching role. She describes China as a “paradise” for shooters, with perfect equipment and a supportive system.
Her journey to Guangzhou is an extension of a lifelong dedication to shooting, a bond she shares with her sister, Zorana. After their father’s death, Jelena promised to care for her younger sister, pulling her into the sport. Jelena’s analytical mind led her to coaching, and she masterminded Zorana’s path to Olympic glory, a partnership that required separating “sister” from “coach” at the range.
That discipline now fuels her new chapter. She has been warmly welcomed, from a welcoming cup of bubble tea to the unwavering support from team management. She has embraced life in China, mastering chopsticks and naming Cheung Fun as her favorite dish.
“Everyone is so friendly,” she said, contrasting the openness she found in China with the distance often felt in Europe. “Even though I don’t speak Chinese well, everyone accepted me very warmly.”
Having found a new team to guide and a culture she embraces, Jelena Arunovic has discovered more than a job in China—she has found a place that feels like home.
