Vadovicova opens strong at World Cup in Szczecin

Slovakia’s world and European champion Veronika Vadovicova captured gold in the very event she holds the world record in – R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1) – on Sunday (1 May), the opening day of the 2016 IPC Shooting World Cup in Szczecin, Poland.

World champion Vadovicova (211.4) held off Germany’s European R3 champion Natascha Hiltrop (210.0) in the final elimination round to claim the victory, shooting 10.6 and 10.5, compared to Hiltrop’s 10.1 and 10.5.

Russia’s Tatiana Ryabchenko (188.7) rounded off the podium.

“Feelings are very good, it's a joy when your hard training is converted into success,” Vadovicova said. “Each medal is made difficult, and [the gold comes from] hard work and a bit of luck.”

The P2 (women’s 10m air pistol SH1) event saw Ukraine’s Iryna Liakhu top the podium. Liakhu (190.6) had a strong start by shooting at least a 10.0 in the earlier rounds and maintained that momentum to push Russia’s Natalia Dalekova (189.5) in to second. In her much anticipated season debut, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s Olivera Nakovska-Bikova (170.5) took the bronze.

Russia took gold in the R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1) team event. Ryabchenko, along with teammates Sergey Nochevnoy and Svetlana Dementyeva, combined for 1887.5. South Korea (1870.1), comprised of Haksun Kim, Youngsik Youn and Jaewoong Won, came in second. Waldemar Andruszkiewicz, Tadeusz Sondej and Tadeusz Burski helped host nation Poland (1869) reach the podium with third place.

Competition continues on Monday (2 May) with R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1) and R4 (mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2), and runs until Wednesday (4 May).

While quota places for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games have already been decided, shooters will continue to make their case for selection. Live results will be available at IPC Shooting's website.

Pictures and live updates will be shared at @IPCShooting and IPC Shooting Facebook page.