USA’S HADDEN GRABBED GOLD IN THE WIND
Ryan Hadden of the USA secured today’s Trap Men gold medal shooting in the wind. The 29-year old US shooter climbed in the leadership form the fourth place, and has to shoot-off to get on the highest step of the podium.
Hadden shot the best final round, hitting 23 targets in spite of the insistent wind blowing on the shooting range. Climbing from the fourth place he had on the start list after the qualifications, the American shooters tied on the lead with the qualification’s leader Jesus SERRANO of Spain.
Hadden upset Serrano in the following shoot-off for gold, securing the brightest medal with 3 hits against 2 shot by the Spanish shooter.
“I has been great, I have been working a lot for this medal – said Hadden right after the final, while speaking at the ISSF TV Microphones – the wind and the dust were terrible today, we had to use special goggles to protect our eyes… Now I a looking forward to the next World Cup in Europe.”
Jesus Serrano, 30-year old, winner of the 2007 World Cup stage in Maribor, finished in second securing Silver for Spain with a score of 139 hits (118+21) + 2 targets in the shoot-off.
Bronze went to the 2002 World Champion, Kuwait’s trap expert Khaled ALMUDHAF, 30, who placed in third with 137 hits (118+19).
Beijing’s Olympic Champion David KOSTELECKY of Czech Republic did not make it to the podium. After entering the final match in fifth place, the Czech shooter, the current n. 1 in the world ranking, climbed to the fourth place with a score of 134 hits (116+18) by outdoing 4 to 3 Kuwait’s Naser Meqlad in a shoot-off.
The 2006 Asian champion Naser Meqlad, 26, placed fifth with 134 hits (117+17) plus 3 targets in the shoot-off. Behind him, Sergio Pinero of the Domenican Republic closed in sixth place with 133 hits (115+18).
