-0 to the Games! Check out the Trap Men event, an expert’s playground

The Czech Republic’s David Kostelecky, Italy’s Giovanni Pellielo and Russia’s Alexey Alipov finished on the Trap Men podium at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. And we might meet them again in London. Four years have passed and their placements in the world ranking have slightly changed, but they are still on top.

Alexey Alipov now ranks in first place, after finishing seven times on the podium at official ISSF events within the last four years. With a personal best of 124 hits out 125 targets in qualifications, and 25 out of 25 in finals during the last Olympic cycle, the 37-year old champion from Moscow promises to be one of the strongest Olympic competitors this time. Competing at the Games since Sydney 2000, he won the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and then finished in third in Beijing.

“Now I want to return in first place. If I compete, I do it for the brightest medal,” the Russian champion said. Then adding,  “Of course I was happy to win a bronze in Beijing. Everybody is shooting well, and it’s always difficult to finish on the podium. The level is really high.”

Giovanni “Johnny” Pellielo will be there, ready to challenge him right to the last target, as he has always done. The 42-year old Italian athlete has participated in six Olympic Games since 1992, winning two Silver and one Bronze medals. This could be his last chance – even if he says he is ready to continue - and the 7-time ISSF World Cup Final winner has proved to be ready. T

he 2012 ISSF World Cup in London, an official pre-Olympic event which took place at the RAB range last April, turned into an important test for these shooters. Alipov finished in second, with a total score of 141 hits. Pellielo followed him, finishing in third with 140 hits and the Bronze, while Kostelecky did not even make the final, ending up in 24^th place.

World Champion Massimo Fabbrizi, second member of the Italian Trap team finished under the spotlights by scoring 143 targets, thus finishing in first with two targets of advantage over Alipov, and setting his aims for the Olympics.

“I am preparing myself in the best possible way with my coach. I have been working hard and now it’s paying off. Since 2010, I have always ended on top during the last seasons. I really hope that this time will be my time to shine at the Games,” said the 35-year old Italian shooter from Monteprandone. He started shooting back in 1990, and won two ISSF World Championships in 2005 and 2011, but was never given the chance to compete at the Olympics “This time I won a Quota Place, and if will earn the trust of my coach, I want to go to London and do my best performance.”

At the lines, ready for the match to start, we shouldn’t forget about Australian sharpshooter Michael Diamond, a two-time Olympic Champion who turned 40 this year. The hero of Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 continues shooting at the highest levels, with 17 participations in ISSF events, 9 finals and 2 victories in the last four years, and he will be one of the men to follow at the London Games.

Trap Men

Date of the Final in London: Monday, 06.08.2012 at 16:00

Reigning Olympic Medallists

Current World Ranking Leaders

Current World Record Holder

Current Olympic Record Holder

ISSF NEWS Magazine “Super25 Chart”