India Finish Third in the Second ISSF Shotgun World Cup Stage in Acapulco

New Delhi, March 27, 2017: There was shoot-off heartburn for the Indian Men’s Skeet Team on the concluding day of competitions for the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shotgun second stage, held in the Mexican City of Acapulco. Two of the three members of the team, youngster Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Man Singh found themselves in a six-way shoot-off for the sixth and final qualifying spot of the Men’s Skeet Final. While Man Singh was the first to be eliminated, young Angad fought till the end before eventually missing his 12th target, to enable Chinese first-time World Cupper Antao Wan a shot at Gold.

In securing seventh spot, the 21-year old Angad who has been competing at the senior level for just over a year now, registered his best World Cup finish in this his fourth World Cup. He also shot his highest score of 118 out of 125 at this level. In the first combined World Cup stage in New Delhi earlier this year, Angad had also won the Mixed Skeet Team Gold, which was conducted as a test event.

The 28-year old Man Singh an Asian Championships Gold winner, also shot 118. He has had two World Cup top 10s in the last two plus years and this 11th place should boost his confidence further. The third Indian in the fray, Amrinder Cheema finished 42nd with a qualifying round score of 109.

Italian Marco Sablone won Gold in the event with a final round score of 55, while USA’s Frank Thompson won the Silver shooting 53. Australia’s Paul Adams won his second consecutive World Cup Bronze of the year.

USA finished on top of the medal’s tally with two Gold and two Silver medals from the five events. Spain followed with one Gold and one Silver medal, while Ankur Mittal’s Gold in the Men’s Double Trap ensured that the nine member Indian squad finished third in the final standings. This is an improvement from their fifth place finish at ISSF World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) New Delhi 2017.

The ISSF World Cup bandwagon moves next to Larnaca, Cyprus, where the third Shotgun stage is scheduled for April 28- May 8, 2017.