USA’s Dania Jo Vizzi became the new women’s Skeet world champion today, at the 2017 ISSF Shotgun World Championship in Moscow Region, Russia.
The 22-year old athlete hit 54 out 60 targets to finish atop of the podium, beating Russia’s Albina Shakirova, who pocketed the silver medal by hitting 52 targets on her home turf.
Cyprus’ Andri Eleftheriou took Bronze with 43 hits.
“It feels amazing!” Said Vizzi, who had participated in three ISSF World Championships as junior - in 2013, 2014 and 2015 - always finishing on the podium (silver, gold, and bronze, respectively).
“It was definitely really hard going from junior to open,” she added. “On one side it was sad, because I miss competing with all the juniors. At the same time it’s so amazing to be able to shoot with all these Olympic champions. It’s incredible.”
Vizzi shot the first part of the match chasing Eleftheriou, who held the first place right to the middle of the final. Then she moved up atop of the scoreboard as the Cypriot shooter started missing, defending her lead against Shakirova right to the last target.
“During today’s final I was definitely nervous,” continued Vizzi. “The crowd really helped. I loved all the cheering. Even the music helped me, I really liked it.
“My next step is the ISSF World Cup Final in India, in October.”
“The main goal is the Olympics: Tokyo 2020. But I have a lot of steps before I can get there. I will take it one match at the time.”
Today’s was the third consecutive women’s Skeet world title won by an US shooter. Brandy Drodz won the championship in Granada, in 2014. Morgan Craft in Lonato, in 2015.
The US team confirmed its strength also today, by claiming the teams gold with a new world record of 216 targets, scored by Vizzi along with the three-time Olympic Champion Kimberly Rhode (4th in the individual event with 33 hits) and Caitlin Connor.
Team Italy, led by the reigning Olympic Champion Diana Bacosi (5th in the individual event with 24 hits) secured silver, with a tally of 211 hits (Bacosi, Katiuscia Spada, Simona Scocchetti).
The host country - the Russian Federation - followed them in third, as Albina Shakirova, Nadezda Konovalova and Anastasia Krakhmakeva marked a combined score of 209 targets.
The 2017 ISSF Shotgun World Championships, which sees 640 athletes from 76 countries competing in 22 official medal events, will continue tomorrow with the men’s Skeet final.
After the second day of qualifications, Russia’s Alexander Zemlin is leading the pack with an almost perfect score of 74 hits out 75 targets, tied to Milos Slavicek of the Czech Republic and Federico Gil of Argentina. The final match will take place tomorrow, at 6 PM (GMT+3).
The Championship then is due to be closed on Sunday, September 10h, by the Skeet Mixed Team event.