Fernandez shoots gold with record
NEW DELHI: Seasoned Spanish shotgun shooter Alberto Fernandez overcame stiff challenge from Italy’s world champion Daniele Resca to win gold in the men’s trap event on the concluding day of the World Cup Final.
On way to title, he shot a new world record of 48 out of a possible 50. Cheered on by a Sunday crowd here at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges, the Spanish shooter raced ahead of others, showcasing his dominance. Of the six shooters in final, Resca was the only one to stay close to Fernandez. In fact, when the gold medal contest started, there were five targets remaining, Resca was at 43, one point behind Fernandez. He could have made it to the top, but missed the first shot, the 46th, which spoiled his chances of gold. Fernandez too missed his last and final shot, but he was already ahead of Resca. Croatia’s Giovanni Cernogoraz won the bronze.
Resca’s silver helped the Italian team top the table with two gold and three silver. China were second with two gold, two silver and five bronze. France were placed third in the tally with two gold and an equal number of silver. India were placed seventh with one gold, one silver and one bronze. In the gruelling men’s 50m 3 position, French marksman Alexis Raynaud took home the trophy. He dominated the kneeling position and went on to stay ahead of others in the prone. In the standing position, he surged ahead in the last eight shots to win gold at 461.7.
Filip Nepejchal from the Czech Republic got silver while Hungary’s Istvan Peni settled for bronze. The men’s rapid fire gold went to Keith Sanderson of USA, while silver went to Clement Besseguet of France and Korea’s Song Jong-Ho took home bronze.