Czech Republic’s Jakub Tomecek won the men’s skeet event at the Qatar Open Shotgun championship at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday.
Tomecek shot down the challenge of 2017 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ben Llewellin of Great Britain 60-57 in the gold medal shootout to clinch the first place. Tomecek picked up $7,000 for his top place finish while Llewellin got $6,000. The third place went to Tomecek’s compatriot Milos Slavicek, who took home $5000.
Qatar’s London Olympic bronze medallist Nasser Saleh al-Attiyah could not make it to the final round. Six top shooters made it to the final round, after five rounds spread over two days. The competition was of a high standard in the qualifying rounds with the top two missing just one clay pigeon and finishing with a score of 124.
“The competition was of a very high standard. It has been almost a few months since I took my gun and practised shooting, the other competitors have been taking part in many events leading up to this event. But I am happy to take part in the event and shoot before the home crowd,” said al-Attiyah, who is aiming to qualify for a record seventh time at this year’s Tokyo Games.
Al-Attiyah was joint second on the first day with a minor blip in the third round saw the Qatari miss the perfect score, allowing 2018 world champion and Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Anthony Terras of France and Tomecek to lead with a tally of 75. Al-Attiyah was on 74, along with Slavicek and medallist Llevelin.
In the women’s skeet, London Olympics bronze medallist Danka Bartekova of Slovakia finished on top and picked up the $7,000 cheque. Great Britain’s Amber Hill came second and Lucie Anastassiou of France finished third.
Around 220 shooters from 34 countries are taking part in the $132,000 event, which will see shooters vying for top glory in ten categories of individual and mixed team events in the nine-day event which gets over on February 28.
The hosts are represented by 50 shooters. and Qatar Shooting and Archery Association president Ali Mohamed al-Kuwari said the event will serve as a good preparation for the Qatari shooters and also for the international shooters in the Olympic year.
The Mixed Skeet Team event will take place today.