Penny Smith of Australia, 21, won the first shotgun final of the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi, India, claiming today’s Trap Women Gold medal with 40 hits, setting the new world record.
All records were re-set at the beginning of the year, as the new 2017 ISSF Technical Rules were introduced. The Trap Women final has changed, and is now conducted with a new elimination-style format. According to the 2017 rules, all six finalists shoot 25 targets, and then the lowest-ranking athlete is eliminated. From there on, after every five shot, the lowest ranking finalist has to leave the match until the Bronze medal is decided. When only two athletes are left on the line, 10 more targets are thrown to decide Gold and Silver.
Smith had never won an ISSF medal before: she had achieved her best placement at the 2016 ISSF World Cup in San Marino, where she had closed the event in 10th place. She made it today, shooting an excellent match on the new format.
“It’s fantastic. A bit overwhelming but really cool.” Smith said after the match. “It’s been a process. I didn’t train too well leading into the competition, so it’s good to come away with a win.”
“It has been a really good experience. This will be my only world cup event this year. The aim for the season is to make it through the Commonwealth Games selection.”
To climb atop of today’s podium, the young Australian shooter outscored the 2012 Olympic Champion Jessica Rossi, who finished in second with 38 hits. Rossi had won her last world cup medal back in 2013, in Acapulco.
“Finally I am back. It took me a while but I am in good shape again,” Rossi said after the podium ceremony. “I would like to thank all the people who believed in me along these years.”
1999 Junior World Champion Mopsi Veromaa of Finland, 34, claimed today’s Bronze with 27 hits, beating Kazakhstan’s Anastassiya Davydova (4th with 23 hits) in the final rush for the podium.
Two Chinese teammates, Wang Xiaojing and Ren Hongyu took 5th and 6th place, with 18 and 10 hits, respectively.
The ISSF Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun World Cup in New Delhi will continue tomorrow (25 February) with two more medal events. The 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men final will start at 13:00 (UTC+5:30), and it will be followed by the Men’s Trap Final at 15.30.
All finals will be broadcasted live on www.issf-sports.org and on the ISSF Facebook Page.