Ukraine do podium triple at shooting World Cup

Ukraine claimed three podium places at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday (17 March), led by pistol shooter Irina Liakhu.

Liakhu, who has steadily improved on her results in the past two seasons, won the second gold medal of her career in P2 (women’s 10m air pistol SH1).

Leading throughout the elimination round, the Ukrainian finished with a winning score of 194.5.

South Korea’s Myungsoon Park (193.9) was second ahead of another Ukrainian, Olga Kovalchuk (169.8), in third.

The United Arab Emirates’ World Championships silver medallist Abdullah Sultan Alaryani collected his third medal in as many days in the R7 (men’s 50m rifle three positions SH1).

This time Alaryani secured gold having taken two silvers on the rifle range in previous days.

After a strong three rounds across kneeling, prone and standing, Alaryani reached a 446.6 score.

Israel’s Doron Shaziri (444.8) was second with a strong performance in the standing portion. Iurii Stoiev (430.6) completed the trio of Ukrainians to reach a top three finish with bronze.

Slovakia’s world and European champion Veronika Vadovicova came back from disappointment on Wednesday (16 March) with a win in R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1).

This time it was Vadovicova who led Germany’s Elke Seeliger, who had beaten the Slovakian 24 hours previously.

Vadovicova (202.8) dominated throughout the match, but Seeliger did show flashes of brilliance including shooting a near perfect 10.8.

Wasana Keatjaratkul was the first home shooter to step onto the podium for Thailand in an individual event this week, securing bronze with 180.4.

Full results are available at the IPC Shooting's website.

P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1) and R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1) conclude competition in Bangkok on Friday (18 March).