Scott celebrates World Cup glory

Steve Scott has pulled off one of the biggest achievements of his shooting career by winning a gold medal in a global competition.
Steve Scott stands proudly on top of the podium at the ISSF World Cup Final in CyprusSteve Scott stands proudly on top of the podium at the ISSF World Cup Final in Cyprus
Steve Scott stands proudly on top of the podium at the ISSF World Cup Final in Cyprus

The Battle marksman was victorious in the men’s double trap discipline at the ISSF World Cup Final in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Saturday.

He said: “As a senior, it’s definitely one of my best wins. It’s the next step down from the World Championship and it was the top shooters out of the whole year so I’m really pleased. It’s a nice way to end the year.”

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Twelve of the world’s top double trap shooters battled it out at the Olympic Shooting Center, with the top six in the initial qualification stage advancing to the semi-finals.

Scott was second with a total of 138/150 having scored 29, 25, 26, 29 and 29 during the five rounds. Chinese shooter Binyuan Hu was well clear with 144.

The semi-final was closely contested, with all six shooters covered by just two targets. Scott and another Chinese marksman, Qiang Pan, led the way with 29/30 to qualify for the gold medal match.

In breezy conditions, Scott shot 27/30 after hitting his last 16 targets, which was enough to triumph by two targets as Pan shot 25.

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Great Britain narrowly missed out on a second medal as Tim Kneale was beaten in the bronze medal match by Indian shooter Asab Mohd.

Earlier in the year, Scott came fourth in the ISSF World Cup event in Larnaca, Cyprus, and second in Gabala, Azerbaijan, with the latter result earning Great Britain a quota place at next summer’s Olympic Games.

Kneale has also earned Great Britain a quota place in Rio next year as a result of his World Championship silver medal so the country will have two representatives at the 2016 Games.

“It’s been a very consistent year and I’m really pleased with my performances,” added Scott, who recently spent two weeks in Dubai training solidly every day in temperatures upwards of 45 degrees.

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“To be the most consistent double trap shooter out of the whole world is a nice feeling. I’ve done a lot of work this year, put a lot of training in and spent a lot of time on the range.”

Scott - who last year won gold medals at the European Championship and Commonwealth Games - is ranked seventh in the world at present, but is likely to climb two or three places when the next ranking list is issued.

The 30-year-old wished to thank his coach Sheikh Al Maktoum, sponsors Perazzi and Carmyke Leasing (Herstmonceux), UK Sport, the National Lottery and British Shooting, plus his friends, family and girlfriend.

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