Beijing games skeet gold winner Chiara Cainero tops in Qatar

Beijing games skeet gold winner Chiara Cainero tops in Qatar

Olympic champions Chiara Cainero and Diana Bacosi continued the Italian domination at the Qatar Open Shotgun Championship by winning the first and third place at the Losail Shooting Range.

France’s Lucie Anastassiou, however, upset the best of the plans of the two Italian of having a repeat of the Rio Olympic Games Skeet podium finish in Qatar, where they finished in the first two positions.

Yesterday, the 25-year-old from La Rochelle stood between Cainero and Bacosi to clinch the silver medal in Doha and prevent an Italian 1-2 at the event.

At the 2016 Olympic Games in the Brazilian city, the Italians made the first two places their own and they gave enough indications in Qatar that they meant business but Anastassiou proved to be a stumbling block in the end.

Beijing Olympic Games winner and Rio silver medal winner Cainero took the first place while compatriot Bacosi, gold medal winner at the Rio Games took the bronze as the Italians continued their domination in Doha.

 On the concluding day of the nine-day championship hosted by Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSSA) 39-year-old Cainero overcame the stiff challenge of Anastassiou to collect the $7,000 cash prize.

The 34-year-old Bacosi pushed the 2016 Qatar winner, Amber Hill of England to the fourth spot.

On Monday, Italian men made a clean sweep at the Double Trap making it 1-2-3.

Cainero was delighted to finish on the podium along with Bacosi.

“It was difficult because of the wind but I am happy I featured in the final along with another Olympic champion and teammate (Bacosi) we are used to finishing on the podium,” she said while talking to reporters here yesterday.

The four-time Olympian praised the facilities at Losail.

“It is always a nice experience to start the season in Qatar. The facilities are excellent. The Losail Shooting Range is same as any Olympic Shooting ranges you will find in any part of the world. It is one of the best. We love to compete here and the weather here is fantastic as it is winter in Italy at this time of the year,” who has been a regular at the shotgun event.

“I first took part in an event in 2006, that is many years back and I was very young,” she recalled.

Cainero said she will taking part in an event in Korea and the training and tournament will serve as an ideal preparation of the season ahead.

“I am happy with my form and the training we had here,” she added.

Anastassiou was happy to finish on the podium along with two Olympic champions.

“The competition was tough and I happy that I had the privilege to share the podium with two Olympic champions.”

Hill, who was aiming to lay hands on the winners cheque, like she did two years back found the going tough.

“It was strong field with two Olympic champions. But I am happy with my performance. Although I was aiming to make a repeat of 2016, when I won the event. 

But, overall, I am happy with my performance and the result,” said the 20-year-old.

Meanwhile in the men’s section, 26-year-old Jakub Tomacek of Czech Republic topped in the Skeet event followed by Jesper Hansen of Denmark. 2008 Olympic Games bronze medal winner Anthony Terras of France finished third.