Jakub Tomecek of Czech Republic, winner in Skeet category of the Qatar Open Shotgun championship, poses for a picture with second place finisher Ben Llewellin of Great Britain and compatriot Milos Slavicek at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday.
Czech Republic shooters dominated in the men’s section of the Skeet category of the Qatar Open Shotgun championship clinching two of the three podium places.
Yesterday at the Losail Shooting Range, Jakub Tomecek took the top prize while compatriot and Milos Slavicek finished third. Tomecek shot down the challenge of Ben Llewellin of Great Britain 60-57 in the marathon gold medal shoot-out to clinch the first place and had to settle for the silver medal.
The 28-year-old Tomecek picked up $7,000 for his top place finish while Llewellin got $6,000 while Slavicek took home $5000.
There was disappointment for the local fans as Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, a favourite at the Manateq Qatar Cross Country Rally which began yesterday with a ceremonial start at Souq Waqif, 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.
Al Attiyah, who mixes rally driving with shooting is a three-time Dakar Rally winner, had a good day on day one just a day before the Cross Country rally, but flattered on the second day.
“The competition was of a very high standard. It has been almost a few months since I took my gun and practised shooting while 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 won a bronze medal in Skeet at the 2012 London Games and is aiming to qualify for record seventh time for the multi discipline event this year at the Games in Tokyo.
Al Attiyah was joint second on the first day with a minor blip in the third round saw Al Attiyah 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 2017 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Llevelin.
In the women’s skeet, Danka Bartekova of Slovakia, finished on top and picked up the $7,000 cheque followed by Amber Hill of Great Britain got $6,000 for the second place and Lucie Anastassiou of France collected $5,000..
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 ninve day event which gets over on February 28.
The hosts are represented by 50 shooters and Qatar Shooting and archery association president Ali Mohammed 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.
“Many former Olympic shooters and World Champions are taking part in the championship. For many shooters the tournament is an ideal preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Games,” said Al Kuwari while addressing a press conference.
“The event is good exposure for our shooters and assess their own level and take a few tips from some of the Olympic champions and also to get themselves updated on the latest equipment and be prepared for the tough challenges which lie ahead for them in the Olympic year,” he added.
Today the Mixed Skeet Team event will take place.
