The German shooter had closed the 2013 World Cup Series atop of the rankings, and he started the new season in the lead. USA's Mowrer stole the show, winning Bronze in the rifle event, being a Pistol shooter.
The 2013 ISSF Shooter of the Year Henri Junghaenel (GER) won the 50m Rifle Prone Men event, on the last day of the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup Stage taking place in Fort Benning, GA.
The 26-year old athlete secured the brightest medal with 208.9 points, outdoing Liu Gang of the People's Republic of China, who placed in second with 208.0 points.
“I did not shoot at my best in the rifle 3 positions event, this week, that's why I am so happy about this Gold medal, I have been looking for it.” Junghaenel said.
The German shooter is currently ranked #1 in the world in this event, after winning the 2013 ISSF World Cup Final in Munich, and two world cup medals during the past season. Now that the qualification path leading to Rio 2016 is getting started (the first Olympic Quota will be assigned at the ISSF World Championship, next September), Junghaenel is seen as the man to beat, in the prone event.
“My toughest opponent is myself.” Henri commented “I am trying to keep focused, to be concentrated and just to everything the way I know. I believe the final result is not so important. It does not make a big difference if I finish in first or in seventh place: I am trying to shoot at my best every time.”
The Bronze medal went to USA's Nikolaus Mowrer, who finished on the 50m Rifle Prone podium with 165.0 points, in spite of being considered... a Pistol shooter! The 25-year old athlete had indeed represented USA in the 50m Pistol Men event at the London 2012 Olympic Games, while he had never competed in rifle events internationally.
“I have used the rifle prone event as cross training for pistol for years now and I am very excited to have the unique opportunity to represent the USA not only in pistol but rifle as well.” Mowrer said, before the match.
“I shoot multiple events, not only prone, but the reason is just the same; I use other shooting disciplines to be able to compete in more matches and gain more experience that I am able to then use in my pistol shooting! It also keeps shooting fun and exciting.” The American athlete explained.
Now that he stole today's show, pocketing his first ISSF medal ever in a Rifle event, will Mowrer change discipline? We will find out soon, at the next ISSF World Cup Stages.