In what was his second chance to go past Willett in consecutive Double Trap final at World Cup stage, Ankur Mittal made the most by capturing the top podium at Acapulco. In the finals once again, the two athletes shot head-to-head for the men’s Double Trap Gold medal, and this time it was Ankur Mittal turn to raise his gun to the sky. Mittal also equalled the World Record set by Willett in New Delhi (IND).
With this, India’s Double Trap shooter Ankur Mittal got his revenge on Australia’s James Willett, after Willett beat his Indian rival and claimed the first Gold medal of the season in New Delhi (IND). Mittal, today, returned the favour, besting the number 1 of the ISSF World Ranking and securing the first World Cup Gold medal of his career.
It was a fiercely fought competition at the Club de Caza, Tiro y Pesca de Acapulco, as both shooters started the match by missing only one of their first 30 targets, taking the lead together and battling head-to-head for the top position. It was in the sixth series, when, Willett missed 3 targets in three consecutive doubles, sliding 3 hits behind Mittal and allowing him to defend the 1st place with a consistent performance in the last ten doubles.
The 24-year-old Indian concluded the final with 75 hits, also matching the World Record set by the same Willett at last month’s competition in New Delhi, while the 21-year-old Australian shooter finished with 73.
Speaking post the win, Mittal said, “I wouldn’t call it a revenge, James is great shooter and winning and being defeated is all part of the game. The conditions in the finals range I would say they were perfect. Wind affected most of the qualification rounds, but in the afternoon it was not so strong.”
Speaking further the Indian Shooter said, “It was great to share the podium with two young shooters. Shooting is a young sport, and we’re doing our best do make the people appreciate what we do.”
20-year-old Qi Ying of China claimed the second medal of his career in his second World Cup participation as he took the bronze on offer, adding it to the Gold he secured at last year’s Junior World Cup in Gabala (AZE).
Andreas Loew of Germany, Enrique Brol of Guatemala, Alessandro Chianese of Italy stayed at 4th, 5th & 6th positions.