Lonato 2018: Para trap Worlds set

History will be made from Friday (5 October) when the inaugural World Championships in Para trap shoots off in Lonato, Italy.

The shotgun discipline was officially welcomed into the World Shooting Para Sport family last May, and not long after, its first major event will see 60 athletes from 14 countries compete for titles in the Trap Concaverde venue.

Medals will be available across six events (PT 1-3 mixed trap in individual and team events).

Lonato hosted the first Para trap World Cup in September 2017, and all three individual gold medallists will return to the discipline’s “birthplace,” targeting the first Worlds gold medals.

Iran’s Abdolreza Tavasolikhah, Italy’s Saverio Cuciti and Spain’s Meliton Antonio Brinas Mora will be the ones to watch in the PT 1 (mixed trap seated SG-S), PT 2 (mixed trap standing SG-L) and PT 3 (mixed trap standing SG-U), respectively.

Since then, shotgun was contested at two more World Cups this year in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates in March, and Chateauroux, France, in September.

Chateauroux winners in action

Australia’s Scottie Brydon carries the momentum after winning the PT 1 gold in Chateauroux, and same for France’s Cyril DeLubac in the PT 2.

After silver in the PT 3, Emilio Poli will hope to do one better in his home Championships.

The Al Ain World Cup earlier this year was the first time Para trap was contested with other shooting Para sport disciplines.

Great Britain’s Allan Ritchie bested Brydon in the PT 1, and would hope to find the same result in Lonato.

In the PT 2, Raffaele Talamo captured the top prize over compatriot Cuciti and can expect another battle this week.

Francesco Nespeca would also hope to claim a title for Italy after winning the PT 3 in Al Ain.

The 2018 World Shooting Para Sport Para Trap Championships runs until Saturday (6 October). Live results can be found at https://www.paralympic.org/shooting/live-results, and the finals on Saturday will be streamed live on https://www.paralympic.org/shooting and World Shooting Para Sport Facebook page.