Rashid Hamad al-Athba in action during men’s double trap event of the Emir’s Cup Shooting and Archery at the Losail Ranges yesterday. (Right) Winner al-Athba and other medallist of the double trap during the podium ceremony.
By Sports Reporter/Doha
Rashid Hamad al-Athba won the Men’s Double Trap title at the Emir’s Cup Shooting and Archery yesterday.
At the Losail Ranges, the twice former World Cup silver medallist al-Athba defeated Rashid Ali al-Adbi 28-24 in the gold medal match, ahead of the ISSF World Cup Shotgun, to be hosted at Al Ain from March 19-29.
Al-Athba was delighted with his performance as he said: “I did not feel any pressure and I think I shot well to hit 28 and win the final.
“I qualified for the semi-finals with the highest total of 138. And then again, I shot the maximum possible 30 from 30 to move into the gold medal match. It was good number for me.
“I’m indeed quite excited with my form. I was quite focused and I hope to do well in the upcoming World Cup at Al Ain,” added Athba, who has had three third-place finishes in the World Cup and a silver medal in the 2009 Asian championship.
“I’d prepared well for this event and am determined to get good results. By God’s blessings, you’ll get good news about me from Al Ain,” he said.
Adbi said about his performance, “I got the second place in the Emir’s Cup, which is quite thrilling for me. I had a good performance in the semi-finals which enabled me to enter the gold medal match. I tried my best and delighted with the silver medal.
Adbi is using a new gun – Baretta DT11 - and he was very happy to get into the final with that. “Six months before, I started to shoot with a new gun. I’m having new feelings but I’m getting used to it well. I feel my performance shows it,” he added.
Soon Adbi will leave for a camp in Italy and train there for raising his performance bar.
The bronze medal match between Masoud Ali al-Adba and Masoud Hamad al-Athba was an entertaining affair. Both were tied at 25-25 and the tie-breaker was enforced in which Adba managed to edge the rival 2-1.
Adba had the second highest qualifying score (132) but under some pressure, he could hit only 24 in the semi-finals, compared to 26 by Athba.
However, in the medal match, Athba held his nerves and eked out the superb victory.
Ibrahim al-Mohannadi, a member of the national team selection committee, was the chief guest and presented the medals. Qatar Shooting and Archery Association’s Board Member and tournament director Fatima al-Jusaiman was also present on the occasion.