Two-time Olympic Champion Vincent Hancock did not miss the chance to step up on the podium at the first ISSF Shotgun World Cup of the season. The American shooter won the Skeet Men medal match, outdoing Michael Gilligan of Great Britain 15 to 13 hits in the medal match.
USA’s 24-year old Vincent Hancock won today’s Skeet Men match at the 1st ISSF World Cup Stage of the year, held in Acapulco, Mexico, from the 15 through the 23 of March. The American shooter started climbing on this way to the Gold since the qualification rounds. He passed through the qualifiers scoring 123 hits, marking the new World Record for the Skeet Men event, since the old records were cancelled after the 2013 rules changes.
Then, moving onto the semi-finals, the Hancock cleared the round with a perfect score of 16 hits out 16 targets, shattering every single clay with his usual quick and sharp style.
The Gold medal match started off with a bit of thrill, as Hancock missed his first target. But then, Vincent zeroed in again, shooting straight right to the last double on station four. No chances for Gilligan, 24, whose best placement before this match had been a 106th place at the 2011 ISSF World Cup in Maribor. He placed in second, securing the first ISSF World Cup medal of his career, with 13 hits in the Gold medal match, 15 hits in the semi-final, and 119 hits in the qualifications.
Hancock said: “It feels great. I have been working a lot to set up my shooting academy lately, and I didn’t have much time to train before this match. So I am extremely happy of the outcome.”
“My aim is clear. After the 2008 Games I was close to stop shooting. The motivation to continue was missing. But now, after winning London’s Games, I clearly defined my goal: the Rio 2016 is my sights.”
Then, asked about long-terms plans, 24-year old Hancock did not hesitate: “Well, I think 2020 is not too far, is it? I will only be 31 then.”
The Bronze medal went to United Arab Emirates’ Said Bin Futtais. The 39-year old shooter outdid USA’s 20-year old Jon McGrath 15 to 14 hits in the Bronze medal match, securing his first ISSF medal ever.
Italy’s Luigi Lodde, 32, and Giancarlo Tazza, 24, placed in fifth and sixth place, closing the semi-final with 14 and 12 hits, respectively. Earlier this morning, Tazza had set the new World Record of 123 hits, tying Hancock atop of the qualification rankings.