Nikolay Teplyy of Russia hit 16 targets to beat 2000 Olympic Champion Milchev, at the ISSF World Cup Final in Rome, today. Egypt’s Asmy Mehelba (25) won Bronze while India’s Mairaj Ahmad Khan finished 4th with 14 clays.
Teplyy, 29-year old, hit 16 targets to beat 2000 Olympic Champion Milchev; Mikola Milchev (48) by 16 to 13 hits at the ISSF World Cup Final in Rome, today. Rio 2016 Olympic Champion Gabriele Rossetti finished at 6th.
Speaking post the win, Teplyy said, “This has been a difficult competition.” This is his first ISSF trophy in a career spanning three years as a practising shooter.
Speaking about his preparation and the time when he reached Rome, he said, “When I arrived here, I was not really self-confident, as it’s the end of the season I am a bit tired. So I am extremely happy that I am eventually walking home with the gold medal.”
Asmy Mehelba, who won Bronze at the final, said: “It’s really great to be on the podium today. It has been a long season, I prepared at my best for the Games, but I did not achieve what I wanted there.”
Speaking further about the importance of wins as a part of preparation, he added, “But to win here it’s really important: all the best Skeet shooters of the world take part in the world cup final, and to finish in the top-3 is not easy.”
About his preparations for the next Olympic Games, which he said has commenced, he added, “After Rio de Janeiro, I immediately started thinking about Tokyo 2020. This World Cup Final is the end of the 2016 season, but it’s also the starting point of the road to Tokyo. I am looking forward to it.”