START OF THE WORLD CUP SEASON 2 : 2010

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1 2 : 2010 START OF THE WORLD CUP SEASON = I N T E R N A T I O N A L S H O O T I N G S P O R T =» ISSF WORLD CUP ACAPULCO» ISSF WORLD CUP SYDNEY» PREVIEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MUNICH» DOPING: THE ISSF IPOD» NEWS OF THE INDUSTRY» RESULTS

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3 CONTENTS 2:10 C O V E R P A G E COVER PAGE The ISSF President Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña led the opening ceremony of the first ISSF Shotgun World Cup Stage of the year, in Acapulco, Mexico. The President, along with the ISSF Secretary General Mr. Horst G. Schreiber, met the athletes during a colourful opening ceremony, welcoming the participants and the authorities to the opening event of the 2010 shooting sport season. Welcome to the ISSF World Cup in Acapulco said President Vazquez Raña The best shooters of the World are competing in Mexico for the first time since Here we have the unique chance to see champions from all over the world competing along with the shooting starts of the future. Acapulco s World Cup was the first step on the path leading to the 50 th ISSF World Championship in all events that will take place in Munich, between July and August. There, the first Olympic Quota Places for London 2012 will be distributed to the best performers. We are looking forward to a great Championship in Munich. Stated the President This will be the biggest shooting World Championship ever: we are expecting more than 2000 athletes to participate! R E S U LT S N E W S ISSF World Cup Acapulco, MEX 44 ISSF ACTIVITIES ISSF World Cup Series 2010 kicks-off... 4 ISSF World Cup Sydney, AUS 45 COMPETITION ISSF World Cup in Acapulco 6 10m Europ. Championships Meraker, NOR 47 COMPETITION ISSF World Cup in Sydney 14 Photos Cover and Contents: Marco Dalla Dea I N F O R M A T I O N ISSF World Ranking, April Crosswords 121 Calendar 122 Impressum 122 ROAD TO MUNICH Targeting the Champions 26 DOPING THE ISSF IPOD The information portal on doping 36 COACHING Most common changes in posture NEWS The shooting sport industry informs 42 TRANSLATIONS German Version 50 French Version 74 Spanish Version 96 ISSF NEWS 3

4 ACTIVITIES ISSF WORLD CUP SERIES 2010 KICKS-OFF IN ACAPULCO AND SYDNEY I n our shooting world this year started with the excellent organization of a World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico in the shotgun events. Due to the fact that this year there will be no distribution of quota places for the next Olympic Games in London, the number of participants is not as high as usual. But all participants in this world cup in Acapulco enjoyed an excellent organization and the outstanding hospitality of the Organizing Committee. All shooters enjoyed the wonderful warm weather and participated in exciting competitions. We have similar information regarding the first World Cup in the Rifle and Pistol events which was organized in Sydney, Australia. Our friends from the Australian Shooting Association jumped in to organize this World Cup which originally was scheduled to be organized and held in New Delhi, India. Therefore, we would like to express our deep gratitude and admiration to our Australian Member Federation. The organization of both World Cups in Acapulco as well as in Sydney was excellent and all participants enjoyed both events. NEXT STOP: BEIJING DORSET FT BENNING LONATO - BELGRADE The next World Cup will be organized in all Olympic events from April in Beijing, China by our friends from the Shooting Federation of the P.R. of China. For the first time we will have a World Cup in Great Britain in the shotgun events organized by the British Shooting Association in Dorset from May 11-20, Also, from May 22-31, USA Shooting will organize a World Cup in the Rifle and Pistol events in Fort Benning. From June 7-16 our Italian Member Federation Tiro a Volo will organize a World Cup in the Shotgun events in Lonato. Another World Cup in the Rifle and Pistol events will follow from June 26 - July 4, organized by our Serbian member federation in the city of Belgrade MUNICH ISSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The highlight of our sport this year is, without a doubt, the prestigious World Championships from July - August 11. We expect the largest amount of participants ever in these World Championships SINGAPORE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES Furthermore, after the World Championships, the younger generation will travel to Singapore to participate in the Youth Olympic Games which will be organized August 14-28, WORLD CUP FINAL The closing of the shotgun events this year will be at the World Cup Final which will be organized in Istanbul, Turkey from September Up to this moment we have not received any offer from any member federation to organize this year s World Cup Final in the Rifle and Pistol events. IMPORTANT NOTE Our office is currently updating our address list and would like to ask all our member federations to please inform us of any changes within their federation: name of officials, changes of phone, fax, or address. In July we also have the General Assembly of ISSF in Munich and we have not received the necessary information concerning participation and hotel reservations from all our members. Please inform our office if you intend to participate and let us know if you will need hotel reservations as soon as possible. Lately we have noticed that member federations are paying invoices during competitions and then proceed to ask the organizers to transfer these payments to ISSF Headquarters. Should this be the case we kindly ask all our member federation to inform our Headquarters if they made a payment at one of our championships or competitions so we can control the income of the payment. Finally the deadline for nominations of candidates for elections by the General Assembly is two months before the General Assembly, on May 27. Proposals for the Agenda of the General Assembly must be received by the ISSF Headquarters three months before, on April 27 at the latest. From April 26-30, 2010 the International Meeting Sportaccord is organized in Dubai, UAE and the President and Secretary General will participate on behalf of ISSF. In the next issue of our ISSF NEWS we will provide a report on the discussions and decisions which occurred at this very important international conference. Olegario Vázquez Raña President of ISSF Horst G. Schreiber Secretary General of ISSF Photo: Marco Dalla Dea 4 ISSF NEWS

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6 WC ACAPULCO 2010 ISSF SHOTGUN WORLD CUP SHOTGUN STARTS IN ACAPULCO THE 2010 ISSF WORLD CUP SERIES KICKED-OFF UNDER THE CLEAR SKIES AND WARM SUN OF ACAPULCO, MEXICO, WHERE THE FIRST SHOTGUN WORLD CUP STAGE TOOK PLACE FROM MARCH THE SERIES RETURNED TO THE AMERICAN COUNTRY AFTER A 19-YEAR OLD ABSENCE: THE LAST ISSF EVENT HELD HERE DATES BACK TO SHOOTERS FROM MORE THAN THIRTY-FIVE COUNTRIES MET HERE TO COMPETE IN THE FIVE OLYMPIC EVENTS OF SHOTGUN SHOOTING. I SSF President Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña led the opening ceremony, welcoming the participants, who paraded on the plaza of the shooting venue, while a group of local artists performed typical Mexican dances playing folkloric music. Welcome to the ISSF World Cup Acapulco, said President Vazquez Raña, addressing his speech to the athletes and to the local authorities. The best shooters of the World are competing in Mexico for the first time since Here we have the unique chance to see champions from all over the world competing along with the shooting starts of the future. I would like to thank the authorities of the State of Guerrero and of the Municipality of Acapulco for their support in the realization of this event added the President and Mr. Jorge Peña, President of the Mexican shooting Federation, for the restless efforts 6 ISSF NEWS he put into the organization of this World Cup. I wish the our athletes the best of luck! The shooters were welcomed by the Major of Acapulco s Municipality, Dr. Manuel Añorve Baños and by the Governor of the State of Guerrero, Mr. Zeferino Torreblanca, who officially inaugurated the competition, stressing the importance of such a prime sport event for this region. SUN 38 USA 7 With a maximum air temperature peaking up to 38 C (or 100 F), a dramatic humidity, and a slight breeze coming from the Pacific Ocean, the sun and the weather were two protagonists of this World Cup in Acapulco. It was not easy for the American shooters. Athletes travelling from Colorado Springs and Fort Benning experienced a dramatic change in temperature while arriving here in Acapulco. The same happened to some European athletes: My shooting range is covered with 70 cm of snow since last November! said the Swedish champion Hakan Dahlby, stepping on the Double Trap Podium. Last week I was still skiing... added the Italian athlete with a smile. In spite of the difficult conditions, team USA won the weather challenge, placing in first in the overall medal standing with two Gold, two Silver and

7 WC ACAPULCO All Photos: Marco Dalla Dea three Bronze medals, for a total of seven medals. The People s Republic of China followed far behind in second place, with one Gold and one Silver medal. India and Norway, thanks to the Gold medals won in Trap Men and Skeet Men respectively, tied in third place, finishing on our virtual medal standings podium. The scores speak for themselves. The top athletes shot extremely well. The shooting facility is excellent, and we had exciting finals, declared the ISSF Technical Delegate for this World Cup, Mr. Carlos Silva Monterroso, on the last day of competitions. This World Cup has been a success, stated ISSF President, Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña, addressing a speech to the participants, at the end of the final day of the World Cup Scores have been extremely high, fantastic! This shooting range is very good, and THE MEDAL STANDINGS RK NOC G S B TOTAL 1 USA CHN IND NOR ITA SWE UKR TOTAL the all staff worked very well here. I wish we could organize another event here again. This city is beautiful, and the Mexican shooting Federation did a great organizing the competition continued the President - we have to thank all the authorities of the city of Acapulco and of state of Guerrero, which have contributed to the success of this event, and I would like to salute our athletes, who gave their best. Thank you all! Concluded Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña. FROM ACAPULCO TO MUNICH The ISSF World Cup in Acapulco opened an intense season, and gave international shooters the outstanding chance to meet and compete at the world s highest level. Olympic champions, top-ranked shooters and young competitors are preparing for the most important competition of the year, the 50th ISSF World Championship in all events which will be held in Munich, as of July 29. There, the first Olympic Quota places for London 2012 will be distributed to the top performers. What better chance to zero in than the ISSF World Cup Series? The Olympic Shooting Range of Munich is probably the best shooting range in the World for all disciplines, said the ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña, who competed there at the 1972 Olympic Games, referring to the preparations for the 2010 ISSF World Championship in all events. We are very happy with the preparations for the World Championship. More than 2500 shooters will take part in the event, and many spectators will follow it, we expect the tickets to be sold out very quickly! We are looking forward to a Great Championship in Munich. This will be the biggest shooting World Championship ever, added the ISSF Vice President, Mr Gary Anderson. Munich s World Championship is an Olympic Qualification event, continued Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña, who continued to comment on the road to the 2012 Olympics. The London Games will be a great stage for our sport. This is going to be the first time that shooting events will be held downtown, next to the Olympic Village, in the heart of the Games. This is a great opportunity for our shooters. The relationship between the ISSF and the Olympic Committee is excellent, added the President. We have received full support from the IOC, and from its President, Dr Jacques Rogge. ISSF NEWS 7

8 WC ACAPULCO TRAP WOMEN 1st YANG, Huan (CHN) 2nd COGDELL, Corey (USA) 3rd GELISIO, Deborah (ITA) Trap Women Awards ONE TARGET TO WIN THE FINAL One single target can make a true difference when dealing with the best shotgun shooters of the World. And it was by one target that 25-year old Chinese shooter Yang Huan won the Trap Women Final, the opening match of the 2010 ISSF World Cup in Acapulco. The young athlete, entering for the first time into a final round of an ISSF World Cup stage, shot solidly, careless of her lack of experience in international events. Yang surprised everybody by making it into the final with the highest qualification score of 72 hits, in spite of the breeze blowing from the Pacific Ocean. Shooting consistently, the young Chinese athlete fought head to head against 2008 Olympic Bronze medallist Corey Cogdell of the USA and Italian Olympian Deborah Gelisio right to the last shot. The last five targets favored Yang, who hit them all, finishing on the highest step of the podium with a total score of 92 clays, obtaining the first international Gold medal of her shooting career. Following her, the USA s 23-year old Corey Cogdell finished in second place earning Silver with a total score of 91 hits, just one unfortunate target away from the Gold medal. The American Olympic medallist entered the final tied to Yang, then sliding to second place after missing her twenty-first clay. It hasn t been easy today. Fighting against heat and humidity is definitely not easy Cogdell said after the award ceremony this World Cup came really early in the year, which means that we had to start training earlier, and that has been difficult. I come from Colorado Springs: it s winter there, snowing and raining. I had to travel a lot to try to shoot as many rounds as possible, working with my coach Bret Ericksson. Of course I am happy with my medal continued the American Champion, who won her last ISSF World Cup Medal in 2007, in Changwon, Korea I made it into the final with the top score, but unfortunately some targets did not brake for me! But I would say the match was a great experience, and I am definitely looking forward to obtaining good results in the next World Cup Stages, as well. I will be attending the World Cups in Beijing and Dorset. Italy s most experienced Trap Women shooter, three-time Olympian Deborah Gelisio finished in third place, earning Bronze with a total score of 90 hits. The 34-year old Italian athlete fought for the Silver medal right up until the twenty-third target, when she lost a crucial target, which caused her to drop to third place. Gelisio was followed by Canada s Cynthia Meyer, who closed the round in fourth place with 89 hits, while the second Chinese shooter Qi Qiuwen ended up in fifth place with a total of 88 hits. Closing the scoreboard, in sixth place, San Marino s Alessandra Perilli finished the match with a total of 86 hits. 8 ISSF NEWS

9 WC ACAPULCO TRAP MEN 1st SANDHU, Manavjit Singh (IND) 2nd RESCA, Daniele (ITA) 3rd MULLINS, John (USA) Trap Men Awards SANDHU TAKES INDIA TO THE PODIUM The Trap Men final turned out to be one of the most exciting rounds of the 2010 ISSF World Cup in Acapulco, as four athletes walked into the medal match tied with a qualification score of 122 hits, following the qualification leader Daniele Resca of Italy, first with 123 targets. Italy s Resca, 23-years old, participating in the second ISSF World Cup final match of his international career, kept his leadership throughout the first part of the match, shooting in first place as a result of his one-target head start. Tables turned as he missed his first clay, on the tenth competition target. Resca probably paid his lack of experience, getting nervous, and missed again and again, loosing his twelfth and thirteenth clays, which caused him to land in third place. India s 2006 World Champion, Manavjit Singh Sandhu, who had qualified in second with 122 targets, took advantage of this opportunity. As the Italian athlete started missing, the star Indian shooter climbed up to the lead. Hitting 23 out of the 25 targets in the final, Sandhu earned the Gold medal with a total score of 145 hits, returning to an ISSF podium one year after the 2009 World Cup in Minsk, where he obtained a Bronze medal. I did not realize that I was going to win until the last shot said the 33-year old winner it has been a very close competition: I knew it was up to one target. I found my rhythm, and I made it Sandhu said I shot aggressively up until the end, I hit more targets than the others, and eventually made it to the top. It was a long trip here from India but it was worth it! We are happy to be here in Acapulco added Sandhu I am planning to participate in most of the ISSF World Cup stages this year. My goals for the future? We will have the Commonwealth Games in India, at the end of the year. That s quite a big match. And then of course the 2012 Olympic Games are in my sights, concluded the Gold medallist, referring to the 50th ISSF World Championship, where the first Olympic Quota Places for the 2012 Games will be awarded to the best performers. Outscored by Sandhu, Daniele Resca missed four targets throughout the final, finishing one target behind with a total score of 144 hits. The young Italian finalist had to continue shooting, facing and defeating the USA s John Mullins in a shoot-off for the Silver medal by 3 to 2 hits. Mullins, 22-years old, the youngest athlete of the final, ended in third place with targets, winning his first international medal ever. He participated in four ISSF World Cup stages since 2006, but he had never made it to the podium before. Another first-time finalist, Sandhu s teammate Anirudh Singh, 32 years old, closed the match in fourth place with a total score of 143 hits, after participating in a shoot-off against seven-time World Cup Final winner Giovanni Pellielo of Italy by 2 to 1 hits. Spain s Alberto Fernandez followed them. He had squeezed into the final through a shoot-off with the lower qualification score, 121 targets. Missing four targets during the final, the Spanish athlete placed in sixth with a total of 142 clays. ISSF NEWS 9

10 WC ACAPULCO DOUBLE TRAP MEN 1st RICHMOND, Joshua (USA) 2nd DAHLBY, Hakan (SWE) 3rd HOLGUIN, Jeffrey (USA) USA: 2 MEDALS AND 71 TARGETS Team USA was the stars of an outstanding Double Trap Final, which ended with one of the longest shoot-offs ever seen. Extreme scores and excellent performances turned it into a sensational match, which was followed by a number of spectators both on site and on TV. The first half of the match turned into a breathtaking neck and neck duel between American champion Joshua Richmond, and Swedish sharpshooter Hakan Dahlby. The two athletes both are top-ranked in the ISSF World Ranking qualified for the final round with a tied score of 144 targets, and continued shooting solidly right up to the twentieth pair, losing just a couple of targets on their way. Then, Dahlby missed an unfortunate clay, with no time left to recover. Richmond took advantage of his mistake, and cleared the remaining five pairs with ease, obtaining Gold with an unreachable score of 192 hits. Leaving his opponents far behind, 24- year Richmond won the third ISSF World Cup Gold medal of his career. The American shooter, currently in eighth place in the ISSF World Ranking, won the 2007 stage held in Lonato and the 2009 stage held in Munich, at the same range which will host the next World Championship. I spent my winter at the military school in Fort Benning, and I only had two or three weeks to train before this match. Hakan Dahlby came from Sweden, and we shot a little bit together, preparing for the World Double Trap Men Awards Cup, said Richmond after the final. We were tied; we missed a couple of targets at the beginning... I just told myself keep on going, keep connected to the second clay... and I made it added the American shooter: I am going to attend all the ISSF World Cup stages but Beijing s this year and, of course, the World Championship in Munich. While Joshua Richmond was clearing the last targets to finish on the highest step of the podium, behind him Hakan Dahlby and the second American finalist Jeffrey Holguin started to duel for the Silver medal. Tied to Dahlby, the31-year old Olympic Finalist of Beijing, Holguin, shot a perfect game. Making it into the final with a qualification score of 141 hits, he did not miss a single target throughout the entire match. After hitting 50 out of 50 final clays, he and Dahlby ended up tied in second place, and had to continue shooting for the Silver medal in an endless shoot-off. Holguin did not give up, hitting the following 21 targets straight before missing, after an outstanding marathon of 71 hits in a row, something that had never happened before in an ISSF World Cup final round. The Silver medal went to Dahlby, second with a total score of hits, but Holguin earned Bronze with hits, proud of a never-seen-before series of hits. The targets appeared very clearly, here in Acapulco. I didn t really have to do much, the shotgun took care of itself said Holguin, smiling after the award ceremony. I felt good after qualifications, and everything came together. It s quite rare to shoot 50 targets straight in a final, but we will probably see more, if we compete in venues like this one, concluded the Bronze medallist. I am really happy with my shooting, and with the shoot-off replied Dahlby It went on and on. After a few pairs, we asked the referee: can we swap our shotguns? We used to do that in our trainings, to break ties... the referee said no, and we went on right to the end said Hakan Dahlby, commenting on the match Of course I am sorry that I missed the Gold... It hasn t been easy: my shooting range in Sweden has been covered by 70 cm of snow since last December. I have been training a couple of weeks in Cyprus and Málaga, trying to get ready for this World Cup... It s great to be back on an ISSF podium added Dahlby, who had won his last ISSF World Cup medal last year in San Marino I would like to dedicate this medal to my wife Charlotte. I got married on October 10, and I am now expecting to become a father! Therefore, I will be at the next World Cup in Beijing, but I might not attend one of the following events ISSF NEWS

11 WC ACAPULCO Skeet Women 1st RHODE, Kimberly (USA) 2nd YU, Xiumin (CHN) 3rd ENGLISH, Amber (USA) Skeet Women Awards NEW SHOTGUN, NEW MEDAL Four-time Olympic medallist Kimberly Rhode, from the USA, started the 2010 season in the best possible way, ending up on the highest step of the Skeet Women podium, joined by her younger team-mate Amber English in third place. Thirty-six year old Rhode walked into the final in the lead with 72 hits after the qualifications, tied to the Italian finalist Diana Bacosi. The two athletes shot head to head throughout the first part of the final round, right to station four. From there on, Italy s Bacosi lost her concentration, dropping three targets within five shots. Rhode did not hesitate. Shooting solidly, the American topshooter cleared the remaining stations with apparent ease. Missing no targets during the whole final round, the Olympic multi-medallist ended in first place with a total score of 92 hits, leaving her opponents no chances to catch up with her. My shotgun got stolen a couple of months ago. I got a new one, but of course it took me time to get used to it. This winter I have been practicing, training... kind of breaking it in... and it really paid off here today! said Rhode, after the award ceremony three of us were in the final today added the American Champion, referring to her two team-mates English and Dunn I think this is really important for our team now, at the beginning of the World Cup Series, and on the path leading to the 2012 Olympic Games. Following Rhode, Yu Xiumin, 26-years old, from the People s Republic of China, won the Silver medal. The Chinese shooter entered the final round with a qualification score of 71 hits, and climbed up to second place thanks to a perfect final, hitting 25 out of 25 targets. Closing the match with a total score of 96 hits, she tied with the second American finalist, Amber English, and then defeated her in a shoot-off for Silver with 2 to 1 hits. Yu, a 2006 Asian Champion, won her last ISSF World Cup medal in Maribor She came here to compete along with several younger team-mates, confirming the statements of the Chinese coach, who said that the first World Cups of the year are the best competitions to introduce new athletes to the international arena. The Bronze medal went to Rhode s teammate Amber English, who stepped on the podium with a final score of hits. The 20- year old shooter had never won an ISSF World Cup medal before, although she finished in the spotlight at last year s World Championship in Maribor by winning a Junior Silver medal. Italy s Diana Bacosi, after sliding behind in the podium placements, had to face Sweden s Nathalie Larsson in a shoot-off for the fourth place, winning it by 2 to 1 hits. The third American finalist, 2005 ISSF World Cup Final winner Haley Dunn, closed the match in sixth place with a total score of 92 hits. ISSF NEWS 11

12 WC ACAPULCO SKEET MEN 1st BROVOLD, Tore (NOR) 2nd MCLELLAND, Randal (USA) 3rd MILCHEV, Mikola (UKR) Skeet Men Awards BROVOLD WAITED FOR SIX YEARS The Skeet Men final kept the audience on the edge of their seat up to the last shot, and even later on. The final finished with a shoot-off for the Gold between the Olympic Silver medallist of Beijing, Norway s Tore Brovold, and 24-year old first-time finalist Randall McLelland of the USA. Both shooters entered the final round tied with a qualification score of 124 hits, and since the first station it was clear to everyone that the match would be a duel for the most valuable medal. Those who expected the tie to be broken at the fourth station, the turning point of every skeet finals, were mistaken. Both athletes cleared it with ease, and kept on shooting head to head right to the last clay, both ending up with an almost perfect score of 149 hits. Brovold walked into the following shoot-off for Gold with confidence. The World Record Holder called for his first pair, and hit both targets. Pressure was back on McLelland, who had never taken part in an ISSF World Cup final round before. The American finalist, shooting under pressure, missed one of the two targets on his first pair, placing himself in second, leaving the Gold to Brovold. Finally! Today was my time. I won my last World Cup Gold medal six years ago! Said Tore Brovold after the final match. The Norwegian shooter, a twice World Cup Final winner, had earned his last ISSF World Cup Gold medal at the 2004 pre-olympic World Cup in Athens. I thought I could do a good job after clearing the fourth station, said the 2008 Olympic Silver medallist, but you never know how it s going to end. Randall is a young shooter, but he has been shooting extremely well today. I knew I had to hit all the targets to be able to reach the podium. The range? It s fine, but the background is a little bit difficult for skeet shooting, and today s wind did not make it any easier! McLelland finished on the podium by winning Silver with hits, earning his first ISSF World Cup medal: It has been exciting! I was feeling very good and very confident! he exclaimed after the match Congratulations to Tore, he shot extremely well today. It has been quite difficult with this weather. It hasn t been easy to train this winter back home. We have been shooting in the snow, back in Colorado. Now I am thinking about the next World Cups continued the American Shooter I will be in Dorchester and Lonato, and then at the World Championship in Munich...one of my goals this year is to win the World Championship! said the 24-year old shooter, referring to the 50 th ISSF World Championship, where the first 2012 Olympic Games Quota Places will be awarded to the best shooters. The Bronze medal went to the 2000 Olympic Champion of Athens, Ukrainian shooter Mikola Milchev. Walking into the final with a qualification score of 123 hits, the 42-year old shooter rose up by scoring 24 targets during the final, finishing on the podium with a total score of 147 clays. He won his last ISSF World Cup medal last year in Cairo. The match did not favor the USA s 2008 Olympic Champion, Vincent Hancock, the record setter currently ranked first in the World. Missing three targets throughout the qualifications, the American shooter entered the final with a score of 122 hits, then finishing in fourth place after defeating Jan-Cor Greef from the Netherlands in a shoot-off. Last year, Hancock won the ISSF World Championship held in Maribor, and a Silver medal at the ISSF World Cup Final in Beijing. He will have to repeat those performances in Munich next August in order to obtain an Olympic pass as soon as possible. Marco Dalla Dea 12 ISSF NEWS

13 BEST PERFORMANCE WALTHER SPORT PISTOL MUNKHBAYAR DORJSUREN GOLD WORLD CUP MILAN 2009 WALTHER SSP A M E M B E R O F T H E U M A R E X G R O U P TRADITION OF INNOVATION w w w. c a r l - w a l t h e r. c o m Munkhbayar Dorjsuren, GER Gundegmaa Otryad, MLG Bronze World Cup Munich 2009 Gold World Cup Milan 2008 Gold World Cup Milan 2009 Silver Beijing 2008 Gold World Cup Final Bangkok 2008 Bronze Beijing 2008 ISSF NEWS 13

14 WC SYDNEY 2010 ISSF World Cup in Rifle and Pistol events in Sydney STARTING IN AUSTRALIA THE 2010 ISSF WORLD CUP SERIES IN RIFLE AND PISTOL EVENTS STARTED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA. HERE, ATHLETES FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD MET TO COMPETE ON THE LINES OF THE 2000 OLYMPIC SHOOTING RANGE, ONE OF THE BEST RIFLE AND PISTOL VENUES OF THE WORLD. THE WORLD CUP TURNED OUT TO BE A SUCCESS FOR THE CHINESE TEAM, WHICH WON THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF MEDALS, BUT TABLES TURNED TO ALSO FAVOR AUSTRALIA, WITH A GOLD MEDAL WON BY THE RIFLE PRONE CHAMPION POTENT AND THANKS TO THE EXCELLENT RESULTS OF SEVERAL HOME SHOOTERS. T his year s ISSF World Cup Series in Rifle and Pistol events kickedoff at the 2000 Olympic Shooting Range of Sydney, one of the leading rifle and pistol venues in the international scene, where shooters gathered from all around the world. From March 20-28, international athletes competed here seeking the first medals of the season, and to reach their Minimum Qualification Score before the crucial ISSF World Championship. There, the first Olympic Quota Places for London 2012 will be awarded to the best performers, and all the top shooters are preparing for the event. Once again, the ISSF World Cup Series turned out to be the best place to be. Experienced participants, current Olympic and World Champions and World Cup multi-medallists had a chance to move a step forward in their seasonal preparation, meeting in high-level final matches. At the same time, younger shooters and new faces walked for the first time into an international match, debuting on the world scene and acquiring valuable experience. The participants were greeted by the ISSF Technical Delegate, Mr. Woo Jae Lee of Korea, at the opening ceremony. I welcome the shooters to the first ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup stage of the year on behalf of the International Shooting Sport Federation, said the Technical Delegate. We thank the Australian International Shooting Limited which assumed the organization of this important competition, continued Mr Woo Jae Lee, speaking on behalf of the ISSF President Olegario Vazquez Raña and of the ISSF Secretary General Horst G. Schreiber. The beautiful Sydney Olympic shooting range is once again the venue for a World Cup, and we are very pleased to say that this venue has a long-lasting legacy for our shooting sport. We wish all our athletes good luck and fair competitions, and we would like to extend our greetings to the Organizers and to the audience, who will certainly enjoy exciting competitions, concluded Mr Lee. Mr. Peter Sharp of the Australian Sport Commission, and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Nick Sullivan of the Australian International Shooting limited, extended their warmest welcome to shooters and delegation during the opening ceremony, when a symbolic shot of cannon was fired to officially open the competition. We are very honored that the ISSF awarded this event to Australia. And we are pleased to welcome the shooters to our country, said the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Mr. Nick Sullivan, concluding the opening ceremony. Australia wins the applause The first Rifle and Pistol World Cup of the season favored the team of the People s Republic of China, which won the highest number of medals, reaching the top of the overall medal standings. The last match of the World Cup, the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men final, was the highlight of the Chinese s performances during this World Cup stage, as the three team-mates Li Yuehong, Zhang Jian and Zhang Penghui climbed together on the podium by winning Gold, Silver and Bronze. The Chinese team proved here its ability to develop new, young, and strongly motivated athletes by bringing to Sydney a number of new faces, along with some of its most experienced team members. The overall results of the team (seven medals: four Gold, one Silver, two Bronze) granted China on the highest spots in the medal standings, by far ahead of its opponents. But the World Cup stage in Sydney also brought success to the home team. Five Australian shooters made it to the final rounds, and two of them finished on the podium. Warren Potent, 50m Rifle Prone Olympic medalist, obtained the Gold medal easily, competing on the line of his home range, while pistol champion Dina Aspandiyarova earned the Silver, returning to an ISSF podium after being absent for awhile. It was the Korean team that placed in second in the overall medal standings rank, claiming two Gold, one Silver and Bronze medals, won both in Rifle and Pistol events. Once again, the Olympic multi-medalist of Beijing 2008, Jin Jong Oh, contributed greatly to the Korean team s results, obtaining Gold and Silver medal at the 10m Air Pistol and at the 50m Pistol Men events. The USA s shooting team also earned four medals (one Gold, one Silver and two Bronzes) taking the third spot on the overall medal standings of this World Cup stage. The Rifle events turned out to be the strength of the American team. Olympic multi-medallist Matthew Emmons finished on the highest step of the podium of the 50m Rifle Three Positions Men event, confirming his leadership in the world ranking, while his team-mate Jamie Beyerle, an Olympic finalist of Beijing, won two Rifle medals finishing in second and third at the 50m Rifle Three Positions and at the 10m Air Rifle Women events. THE MEDAL STANDINGS RK NOC G S B TOTAL 1 CHN KOR USA AUS CZE SRB IND AUT RUS MAS BLR CRO HUN TOTAL ISSF NEWS

15 WC SYDNEY All Photos: Marco Dalla Dea 1st CAO, Yifei (CHN) 10m Air Rifle Men The youngest, the strongest The Chinese team started the first competition of the 2010 ISSF World Cup in Sydney in the lead. Cao Yifei, 21-years old, ranked fifth in the world, won the 10m Air Rifle Men event with apparent ease, leaving the other finalists behind by firing great and consistent shots. The young athlete moved to the lead starting from the morning s qualifications. Then, walking into the final match with the highest qualification score of 596 points and tied to Peter Sidi, Cao shot an average of almost 10.3 during the final round, earning an advantage of tenths of a point shot after shot. With a final score of points, he won the first Gold medal of his international career with a total score of points, leaving his opponents behind, and moving up in the world ranking. Cao has been a successful junior shooter, winning world-level awards in 2006 and 2007, and already finished in the spotlight during the 2008 and the 2009 ISSF World Cup seasons by winning two Silver medals in Milan and Changwon. Thanks to the Gold medal in Sydney, he will probably have to face his titled team-mate Zhu Qinan, an Olympic medalist of Beijing and Athens, and one of the best Air Rifle shooters of the world. The two of them will have to duel on the road leading to the 50 th ISSF World Championship (which will take place in Munich between July and August, this year), where the first Olympic Quota Places for London will be awarded to the best performers. Who will earn a pass to London? We will find out on the lines of the 1972 Olympic Shooting Range of Munich, in a few months. The Silver medal went to India s Sanjeev Rajput, a 29-year old shooter who had never finished on an ISSF podium before. I felt like I was competing in India, having two team-mates next to me! exclaimed the Silver medallist. All the Indian team-members were competing in this rifle final, and this is remarkable, in my opinion. I believe this had never happened before in an ISSF World Cup. Rajput made it into the final along with 2nd RAJPUT, Sanjeev (IND) his team-mates Gagan Narang and Raghunath Padinchare Thermadathil. Qualified in fifth place with 594 points, he climbed up the scoreboard to the second place by shooting today s highest final score, points. I was feeling quite confident during the qualification. I just made a big mistake on my last series, when I shot three nines. Then I thought: ok, I am not going to be in the final. Reaching the podium surprised me a bit, said the Indian shooter, commenting on the first part of the competition During the final I was really concentrated. I just focused on my technique. Not thinking of anything else. Rajput said about his first final match. I will be at the next World Cup in Beijing, trying to also obtain a medal in the 50m Rifle Three Positions Men event there. His team-mate, World Record holder Gagan Narang, stayed behind in fourth with a total score of points. After starting from his original eighth place with the lower qualification score, the Indian sharpshooter climbed up the scoreboard by firing points in the final, finishing just one tenth of a point behind the medallist. I am working on my equipment, there is still 15% to be tuned up in order to reach the best conditions, commented Narang after the match, looking at the scoreboard. This World Cup came early in the season. We closed the 2009 season in December with the Asian Championship in Doha, and right after that we started preparing the Commonwealth Championship... There has not been that much time to rest in between. I am looking forward to the next matches. Added Narang The most important competition of the year is the ISSF World Championship in Munich. The first Olympic Quota Places for London are going to be awarded there. I will try to give my best performance in that event. Finally, also on the podium, the Bronze medal went to 30-year old Austrian finalist Mario Knoegler, 30 years old, who placed in third with a total score of points. He started the match in second place with 595 points, later on to be defeated by India s Rajput. Hungary s 2009 Shooter of the Year Peter Sidi did not give his best performance during the final. After qualifying in second 3rd KNOEGLER, Mario (AUT) place with 596 points, he scored points, the lower score of the final match, and landed in fifth place with points. ISSF NEWS 15

16 WC SYDNEY 1st PARK, Minjin (KOR) 10m Air Pistol Women First Golden Time A new face debuted on the ISSF arena at the World Cup in Sydney, entering the international world of shooting with a Gold medal won on her first attempt. Twenty-two year old Korean shooter Park Minjin had never participated in an ISSF competition before, and experienced shooters were quite surprised to see her land on the highest step of the 10m Air Pistol Women podium with a top-score of points. The whole Korean team stood up as she walked into the ceremony hall, and started singing their national anthem to honor the first medal won by their country in this World Cup stage. The young Korean athlete built up her victory by shooting consistently during the final round. She had qualified in fourth spot for the final with 382 points, a 2- point disadvantage in regards to the first place. Two points can be a consistent mountain to climb in this event, where medals are won or lost by a few tenths. But Park did not give up, and with points, the highest score of the round, she defeated everybody, winning the first Gold medal of her career. Park was also at an advantage as a result of China s qualification leader, and also a new face in these circuits, Chen Yan, 24, years old, who made a disappointing mistake. After making it into the final with the highest qualification score of 384 points, she wasted her two-point head start in the middle part of the match, shooting three consecutive times in the eighth ring, and dropping to last place. This 10m Air Pistol Women final also put home athlete Dina Aspandiyarova under the spotlight as a result of the first medal she earned for the host country, Australia. The 33-year old Olympic finalist of Sydney 2000 felt really confident while shooting on the lines of her home range, and took advantage of being in her own home-court, climbing to second place with a total score of ( ) points. The Australian audience gave her a long and sincere applause, as she stepped on the podium with tears of joy on her face. I fought for each shot. It probably wasn t as good as I expected, but finally the tables turned to favor me. I will need to improve in the future, taking this medal as a first positive step into the new season, said the Australian shooter. A disappointing Bronze medal won by 2008 Olympic Champion Guo Wenjun helped the Chinese team after Chen s spine-chilling mistakes. Guo, currently at the lead in the world ranking of this event, qualified tied with Park with 382 points. After shooting 99.0 points in the final, she finished in third with a total score of points, earning a bronze that saved China s day. The final did 2nd ASPANDIYAROVA, Dina (AUS) 3rd GUO, Wenjun (CHN) not favor two of the best pistol shooters of the World, Bulgaria s Maria Grozdeva and Serbia s Jasna Sekaric (ten Olympic medals between the two), finishing in fourth and seventh place, with and points, respectively, as a result of the outstanding points scored by their younger opponents. 10m Air Rifle Women Emmons Returns It was the great comeback of Katerina Emmons that put the 10m Air Rifle Women final in the spotlight during this World Cup in Sydney. The Czech Olympic Champion of Beijing 2008 returned to an ISSF World Cup competition here in Australia, leaving behind the competition with unreachable scores. The 26-year old shooter focused since the qualification, shooting an outstanding score of 399 points, just one point less than the world records she holds. Starting the final with a two-point margin over her followers, she shot simply 16 ISSF NEWS

17 WC SYDNEY 2nd MOHD.TAIBI, Nur Suryani (MAS) Her medal was then described as an historical achievement by the Malaysian press, since she became the first Malaysian woman to win a medal of any color in this event. Also qualified for today s final through a shoot-off with a score of 396 points, the USA s Olympic Finalist of Beijing Jamie Beyerle earned Bronze with a total score of points. Shooting solidly, she scored points throughout the final match, 1st EMMONS, Katerina (CZE) perfectly, scoring points to finish on the highest step of the podium with a total score of points. I knew I was ready to come back said Emmons, who did not participate in the 2009 World Cup Series after her maternity but I did not expect these scores. This morning, during the qualifications, I was looking at the scoreboard and I thought: wow! It has been a big fight for me anyway. I did not feel very confident, and my timing wasn t perfect. Winning the applause of the crowded final hall, Katerina stepped on the podium for the first time since the 2008 Olympics, and a special guest, her baby daughter Julia, helped her receive the most valuable medal from the hands of the Australian Sport authorities. Julia is here with us, she travels with the family. It is sometimes challenging, and it kind of surprises me how well it goes. Everything comes together nicely, I am very pleased. said Emmons, watching Julia playing with her Gold medals. The 10m Air Rifle Women final also reserved a great surprise for Malaysia, as Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi won the Silver by climbing the scoreboard all the way up from the eighth place. The 27-year old athlete had squeezed into the final round by participating in a shoot-off, with a qualification score of 396 hits. Then, her excellent final score of points landed her in second place, to receive the first ISSF medal of her sport career with a total of points. 3rd BEYERLE, Jamie (USA) finishing just two tenths of a point away from the Silver medal. The 2008 and 2009 World Cup Final winner, China s Wu Liuxi, currently ranked third in the World, did not make it to the podium. The 25-year old athlete ended up in fourth place with points, missing the medals by a few decisive tenths, declaring after the final that she was going to focus on the Three Positions events in the following days. SPY SHORT mit LENS SCORE CRYSTAL mit LEVEL CRYSTAL DIOPTER SPY Extrem schmal und kompakt Inklusiv Gegenlichtblende 24 klicks (0,02mm pro klick) Ideal für balanciertes Stehen freihändig und aufgelegt Ideal für das Schießen bei Wind Variante SPY LONG mit 2 Spannelementen, Großkaliber tauglich SCORE CRYSTAL Transparenter Korntunnel mit einzigartiger Helligkeit und Kontrast für Korn und Filter. Stufenlos um die Längsachse drehbar Einsetzbare Querstifte zur Kontrolle der Verkanntung Außergwöhnlich klares Zielbild LEVEL CRYSTAL Außenlibelle, transparent, auch bei mäßigem Licht gut sichtbar Ohne Werkzeug zu drehen SPY SHORT mit 1.8 CRYSTAL HIGH END CRYSTAL Das klassische Festkorn in perfekter Ausführung, transparentes Gehäuse für Korntunnel SCORE CRYSTAL Nägelestraße 15 Telefon: centravisier@t-online.de D Rheinfelden Telefax:

18 WC SYDNEY Awards 50m Pistol Men with winner LIN, Zhongzai (CHN) 50m Pistol Men 12 Shots in a Final? The 50m Pistol Men final kept the audience on the edge of their seats until the last shot, and even further. Ten shots were not enough to determine the podium placements, as Olympic multi-medallist of Beijing Jin Jong Oh and the American pistol shooter Daryl Szarenski ended up tied in second place, and had two participate twice in a shoot-off to decide who was going to stand on the second step of the podium. Jin probably did not expect it. He had been fighting for Gold against China s 2007 World Cup Final winner Lin Zhongzai throughout the whole match, but the last final shot determined how this story was going to end. China s Lin, 28-years old, a three-time World Cup Gold medallist, started the round in the lead with 567 points after the qualifications, with one point of advantage over the Korean champion who had walked into the match with 566 points. During the final, Olympic Champion Jin reduced the gap at the top of the scoreboard, taking advantage of a frustrating 7.2 scored by Lin on his sixth competition shot. Tension peaked after the ninth shot, when Lin only had one tenth of margin left on Jin. The last final shot turned then into a decisive point: Lin shooting first, he fired an 8.9, which usually would have been not enough to keep up with the Olympic Champion. But this time Jin did not take advantage of his opponent s defeat, scoring a disappointing 8.1 that landed him in second place. Lin Zhongzai, staring at the monitors incredulously, earned the Gold with a total score of points. In second place with a total score of points, Jin Jong Oh shook his head clearly disappointed by the outcome of the match, as he found himself tied to American shooter Daryl Szarenski. The following shoot-off was not enough to break the tie between the two contenders: both Jin and Szarenski scored a 10.0, and a further shot was needed to decide the podium placements. Here Jin gave his best performance, defeating Szarenski by 10.6 to 9.2 points and obtaining the Silver medal with a total score of points. Szarenski was left in third place, and 2nd JIN, Jong Oh (KOR) earned the Bronze medal with points. This shoot-off has been quite unusual. I have been in shoot-offs before, but I had never had to shoot twice, Szarenski said after the shoot-off after the first shot I though that it was it. But it wasn t... It has certainly been different than usual. 3rd SZARENSKI, Daryl (USA) I am satisfied anyway added Szarenski I am getting there but there is still a little bit of work to do. I qualified for all the four World Cups this year, so I am going to be in Beijing, Fort Benning and Belgrade. Serbia s Damir Mikec closed the round in fourth place with points, followed by the two Russian team-mates Denis Koulakov and Sergey Chervyakovsiy in fifth and sixth place with and points, respectively. Zhang Tian of China ended up in seventh with points, while first-time finalist Lim Swee Hon of Singapore closed in eighth place with points. 18 ISSF NEWS

19 WC SYDNEY Behind Potent by 1.3 points was Joydeep Karmakar, who held India s name high on the podium. The 30-year old shooter from Calcutta had never competed in an ISSF final before, and he had participated only once in an ISSF match, in Karmakar felt like it was his day when he made Warren Potent: 600 points World Record! 1st POTENT, Warren (AUS) 50m Rifle Prone Men Potent s Record Australia s hope Warren Potent confirmed to be the best 50m Rifle Prone Men shooter of the world on the lines of his home range, at the 2010 ISSF World Cup in Sydney. The Australian star won Gold before his supporters, as he had been doing since 2007, when he won here his first World Cup Gold, and started to walk the road towards the 2008 Olympic Games. The home shooter was under the spotlight since the qualification round, when the Olympic Bronze medallist matched the World Record to walk into the final in first with an extreme score of 600 points. Shooting in first spot, on the line he has been training on for years, Potent turned out to be unreachable by his opponents. Taking advantage of his head start, he increased his margin over the competition shot after shot, ending up on the highest step of the podium with an outstanding final score of ( ) points. It s great to win a Gold medal here, on the lines of my home range, in front of my friends! Exclaimed Potent after the award ceremony, celebrated by a number of Australian fans This is my second time on the highest step of this podium. I won my first ISSF World Cup Gold medal here in Sydney, in I was really nervous this morning, before shooting the record continued explaining Potent This is my home range, but it s never easy... I had been close to it several times, but I had never scored 600 points in an international match before, for some reason. The final itself wasn t that easy, either added the Australian shooter the way in which the wind affects the shots here in the final hall is quite different than in the qualification building. He said, smiling as somebody reminded him that the 2007 World Cup Gold medal had been his first step on the road leading to the Olympic Podium of Beijing. I am now looking forward to the ISSF World Championship in Munich. I heard that more than 2500 shooters are going to be there, because of the Olympic Quotas... That is the first step to qualify for the 2012 Games in London, it s going to be challenging! 2nd KARMAKAR, Joydeep (IND) it to the final round with an excellent qualification score of 599 points, one point away from the World Record. Then, shooting points during the final, he reached a total of points and landed in second place to win his first international medal ever. This was my first time in an ISSF World Cup final round... I have been shooting for fifteen years, but I could not reach these results, something was missing on the psychological side, which is really important in shooting, said the Indian athlete right before the award ceremony. I started to dedicate more and more time to shooting in 2007, and these are the results he continued My next goals? The Olympic Games, of course! Since Bindra s victory at the 2008 Games, shooting has become more and more popular in India. He showed us that it is possible to get there. And I will try to get there! 3rd MARTYNOV, Sergei (BLR) Shooting fans also applauded the two stars of the battle for the Bronze, Belarus s Sergei Martynov and the USA s Michael McPhail, both of which battled up until the very end for the third spot on the podium. Martynov eventually earned the Bronze medal at the last shot, ending up in third place with points. The three-time Olympic Bronze medallist, and ten-time World Cup Gold medallist shot points in the final match, climbing all the way up from the fourth place. The USA s McPhail, 28-years old, missed the podium by a few tenths. The American athlete, who earned two World Cup Bronzes last year, fired a disappointing 9.0, and landed in fourth place with points, two bitter tenths of a point away from Martynov and the medal. ISSF NEWS 19

20 WC SYDNEY 1st WU, Liuxi (CHN) 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women Wu Zeroes In on the Gold She said she was going to focus on the 50m Rifle Three Positions Women event right after the 10m Air Rifle Final, and she kept her word. Wu Liuxi, the 2005 World Cup Final winner in this event, earned the Gold with more than one point of advantage over her followers, thus compensating for the frustrating outcome of the 10m Air Rifle final. After entering the final round in the lead with 584 points, the 25-year old Chinese athlete, an Olympic Finalist of Beijing 2008, shot solidly, scoring 97.3 points and never endangering her first place. With a total score of points, she ended up on the highest step of the podium with 1.1 points of advantage over the USA s Jamie Beyerle, who closed the match in second place with a 2nd BEYERLE, Jamie (USA) total score of points. Beyerle, Olympic Finalist of Beijing, 25-years old, proved to be one of the best rifle shooters of the world by earning her second medal in this World Cup stage after the Bronze she won at the 10m Air Rifle Women event two days ago. After entering the final round in fourth place with 579 qualification points, she moved up in the scoreboard by shooting outstandingly in the final, points, today s highest final score. Today it was quite a difficult day for me, actually! Beyerle said commenting the match I was quite satisfied by the prone round, today. But the conditions for the Standing are quite tricky here in Sydney... said the American shooter, who scored 198 points in the Prone, and 191 in the Standing qualification stages But of course I am happy about today s final! Now I will take part in the selection match for the ISSF World Championship, back home, she added. In spite of the excellent performances from Wu and Beyerle, the crowd following the match at the Sydney Olympic Shooting Range found duel for the Bronze medal more interesting. The Australian supporters cheered for home shooter Robyn Van Nus, 27 years old, who duelled against Croatian Olympian Snjezana Pejcic for a spot on the podium. The Australian athlete entered the final in second place with a qualification score of 583 points. Then, understandably nervous on her first final, she fired two shots in the eighth ring, sliding on the scoreboard and finding herself tied to Croatia s Pejcic. The last shot decided who was going to climb on the podium. Robyn Van Nus fired a disappointing 9.1, while the experienced Croatian athlete zeroed in and scored a fantastic 10.5 that landed her in third place. 3rd PEJCIC, Snjezana (CRO) I d never made a World Cup final round, and to do so in front of my home crowd on my training range was a fantastic experience for me, Van Nus said after finishing in fourth place with a total score of points. I was disappointed with my performance in the final but I can take a lot of encouragement out of today s match. I will take part in the next ISSF World Cup in Fort Benning (USA) next May. Bronze went to Snjezana Pejcic, 27-years old, who stood on the third step of the podium thanks to her successful last shot, and with a total score of ( ) points. The second Chinese finalist Liu Bo closed the round in fifth with points, preceding Malaysia s Nur Suryani Modh Taibi, who closed her second final in sixth place with points. The seventh and eighth spots were taken by Switzerland s Annik Marguet, 28 years old, and by Japan s first-time finalist Aeiko Iwata, 29 years old, with and points respectively. 20 ISSF NEWS