The 2016 Trap Junior World Champion Simone D’Ambrosio won his first senior competition, at the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi, India, today.
The 20-year-old Italian shooter shuttered 45 targets out of 50 in the final match, beating his teammate Giovanni Pellielo, a 47-year old 4-time Olympic medalist, who closed the competition in second place with 43 hits.
The two athletes were tied right to the last series, when Pellielo missed two out of his last five targets, dropping down in second place.
“It’s overwhelming,” said D’Ambrosio, “not only this is the my first final among the seniors, but I had to face the best trap shooter of the world, Pellielo.”
“I could see the other finalists missing, and I tried my best to keep focused on my targets only,” added the young athlete.
“It has been a tough competition, here in New Delhi. But luckily I made it. Now I have to book another trip to India: I qualified for the world cup final, that will take place here in October.”
Rio 2016 Silver medallist Pellielo added another world cup medal to his trophy showcase: the Italian sharpshooter participated in 45 world cup stages since 1990, making it to the podium 16 times. Today’s medal will probably qualify him for the 2017 ISSF World Cup Final, a competition he has already won 7 times, more than anybody else in shotgun events.
Today’s bronze went to 2010 World Champion Alberto Fernandez of Spain, who closed the round in third place with 33 hits, collecting his seventh ISSF World Cup medal.
Fernandez upset the home hero, Zoravar Singh Sandhu. The 39-year old Indian shooter, followed here by a number of supporters, nearly made it to the medal placements. He was ranked third when he missed the last target of his seventh series, finishing behind Fernandez, and eventually landing in 4th place with a tally of 28 hits.
Fernando Borello of Argentina, 37, and Owen Robinson of New Zealand, 25, both competing in their first world cup final match, closed the round in 5th and 6th place, with 24 and 17 hits, respectively.
The men’s Trap final concluded Day-2 of the ISSF Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun World Cup in New Delhi, India. Tomorrow, February 26, two more medal events will be conducted: the women's 10m Air Pistol Final is schedule at 11.00 (UTC+5.30), and it will be followed by the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions medal match at 13.00.
All finals will be broadcasted live on www.issf-sports.org and on the ISSF Facebook Page.