-9 to the Games. Double Trap: Two targets, two shots, one winner

After winning the 2008 title, the current Olympic Champion, the USA’s Walton Glenn Eller, participated in 12 official ISSF events, finishing on the podium only once and failing to earn an Olympic Quota place. He made it at the last second, winning a spot in the 2012 US Olympic team at the internal selection matches. 

But this time the spotlights will be on his team-mate, Joshua Richmond, a 27-year old former ISSF World Champion currently ranked first in the world. Richmond is the favorite, and he has series of positive results which have placed him on the list of the most successful Double Trap shooters of this Olympic cycle. Participating in 15 ISSF events (ISSF World Cup, World Cup Finals and World Championships), he made it to 12 finals, earning 8 medals and winning 4 events.

Impressive numbers, along with his outstanding best personals: 146 qualification hits out of 150 targets, and 50 out of 50 targets in final rounds. The young champion did not compete in the pre-Olympic test World Cup in London last April, as in those days his second son was about to be born. But just a couple of weeks later, competing in the last ISSF World Cup Stage of the year in Lonato, Italy, he won the match with a great 49 in the final. “I want to dedicate this medal to my newborn son Beaux. I didn’t go to London, I have not seen the range, but this could turn into an advantage and I feel confident regarding the Games. I am shooting well, and I am consistent,” Richmond said.

The names of his toughest competitors are well-known. The World Record holder, India’s Ronjan Sodhi, has been one of the strongest Double Trap shooters of the last Olympic cycle, with 19 participations in the ISSF World Cup, World Cup Finals and World Championships, 6 podiums and 3 victories, including the 2010 and 2011 ISSF World Cup Finals in Izmir and Al Ain. The 33-year old Indian made it to the Games, internally beating the 2004 Olympic Silver medalist Rathore, and now wants at least a spot on the podium. “I am will do my best in London, nothing less!” he exclaimed.

Russia will not miss the Double Trap appointment, with the 38-year old champion Vitaly Fokeev qualified for the Games and ready to battle his titled competitors. The 2006 World Champion, who participated in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games without making it to the final stage, is ranked third nowadays. Often in the final rounds of ISSF official events throughout the last four years, he won the 2011 ISSF World Cup Stage in Concepción, Chile, by setting a new World Record of 148 hits out of 150 targets, showing us what he’s capable of. But it won’t be that easy in London: there he will face China’s Hu Binyuan –  2008 Olympic Bronze – and consistent Italian shooter Francesco D’Aniello, 2008 Olympic Silver, both ranked at the top of our “Super 25 Chart.”

No space left for surprises? Well, home shooter Peter Wilson, the UK’s biggest Olympic hope in shooting, is the man who could turn the tables of this final. Ranked third in the world, the shooter from Dorset won this year’s ISSF World Cup Stage in Tucson (USA) with 198 hits, setting a new Final World Record. A thrilling result which places Wilson’s name in the list of the athletes to follow in London.

Date of the Final in London: Thursday, 02.08.2012 at 15:00

Reigning Olympic Medallists

Current World Ranking Leaders

Current World Record Holder

Current Olympic Record Holder

ISSF NEWS Magazine “Super25 Chart”