Shooting World Cup returns to Al Ain in 2018

First time Para trap discipline will be included alongside rifle and pistol events 16 Nov 2017
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A series of Para sport shooters take aim on the shooting range
ⒸIPC

"With Para trap now part of the federation’s family, it is important we continue integrating the discipline into our events and give athletes as many opportunities to compete”

World Shooting Para Sport has announced that Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), will host its third straight World Cup from 22-27 March 2018.

The competition will be the first World Cup of the year and is a crucial opportunity for athletes to fine-tune themselves ahead of the 2018 World Shooting Para Sport Championships in Cheongju, South Korea. In particular, the 2018 Al Ain World Cup will be the last chance for shooters to earn valuable MQS (minimum qualifying score) points in 25m and 50m events towards the 2018 Worlds.

While athletes will focus on preparing for Cheongju, the World Cup is also a step forward in the development of Para trap, which was officially added to World Shooting Para Sport in May 2017. It will be the first competition to feature the shotgun discipline alongside rifle and pistol events.

Tyler Anderson, World Shooting Para Sport Manager, said: “We are excited to return to the shooting ranges in Al Ain. The local organising committee did an excellent job hosting the World Cups the last two years, and I have no doubt they will give the athletes another fantastic experience as they gear up for the 2018 World Championships.

“We are especially thrilled to take advantage of Al Ain’s world-class shotgun range. With Para trap now part of the federation’s family, it is important we continue integrating the discipline into our events and give athletes as many opportunities to compete.”

Al Ain hosted the first competition of 2017 in February, and saw multiple world records set as a new finals format made its debut in the single position events. Finals now consist of two five shot series instead of a three shot series, upping the total number of shots from 20 to 24.

The competition was followed by a Grand Prix in Szczecin, Poland; and three more World Cups in Lonato, Italy; Osijek, Croatia; and recently Bangkok, Thailand.

The World Cup in Lonato was the first for Para trap alone, and took place in September.

The 2018 World Shooting Para Sport World Championships will take place from 1-12 May. Around 300 shooters from 60 countries will take their first chance to grab quota places for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

More information on the 2018 Al Ain World Cup can be found at World Shooting Para Sport’s website.