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Osijek 2019: What we learned
World Cup gave plenty to look forward to at Sydney 2019 as VI shooters step up, Para trap gains new fans and Ukraine showcase their star quality 10 Aug 2019
The last World Cup of the year saw thrilling performances ahead of the 2019 World Shooting Para Sport Championships coming in October.
Here are four takeaways from the action in Osijek, Croatia, that wrapped up in late July:
1. Vision impaired (VI) shooting will be contested for the first time at a World Championships this year, and that became a big incentive for the top VI athletes to bring their best in Osijek.
It was at this World Cup where the most exciting VI athlete became clear, as Barbara Moskal stole the show.
The Polish athlete delivered a record-breaking performance, en route to gold, in the VI (10m air rifle standing).
VI shooting first appeared in a World Shooting Para Sport event in May’s International Shooting Competition in Hannover, Germany. Moskal also won there.
2. Speaking of new events – Para trap will be for the first time included as a discipline of the World Championships in Sydney.
And Para trap garnered more hype in Osijek, with Saverio Cuciti securing his first individual gold in the PT2 (mixed trap standing SG-L).
The Italian took silver at his home World Shooting Para Sport Para Trap Championships last year but has shown improvement since.
3. Sweden’s Anna Normann is another new face who can make noise at Sydney 2019.
While she might not have a lot of competitions on her resume, Normann has proven quality is better than quantity.
The Swedish athlete has medalled in all three of her World Shooting Para Sport competitions in the R8 (women’s 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1). However in Osijek, she won her first gold medal, meaning at Sydney 2019, she can turn that 2018 silver into gold.
4. Ukraine has been a powerhouse in the sport, and that was evident with Andrii Doroshenko and Oleksii Denysiuk having a friendly duel for medals.
Rifle specialist Doroshenko won that contest, taking double gold in R1 (men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1) and R7 (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1).
Pistol athlete Denysiuk won the P3 (mixed 25m pistol SH1), silver in P4 (mixed 50m pistol) and bronze in P5 (10m air pistol standard SH1).
