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USA takes 2 medals in World Cup

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:15 pm
by USA Shooting
By Najasila Campbell
USA Shooting

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Olympic champion Matt Emmons of Fairbanks, Alaska, earned himself the Silver Medal in Men's Air Rifle at World Cup USA 2007 April 2, while riflewoman Jamie Beyerle of Lebanon, Pa., shot for Bronze.

In the first Air Rifle finals of the World Cup season, it was China that dominated the scene. The team secured both the Gold and the Bronze in the men's division, and Yi Zhang snatched the women's Gold.

Dropping only two points in the qualification, Qinan Zhu of Team China shot a perfect final for the top spot on the podium. Notching scores of 10.8 and 10.7 early in the medals round, it was clear why he is the No. 1 ranked rifleman on the planet.

Entering the final, China's Tianyou Liu was ahead of U.S.
Olympic champion Matt Emmons by only one point. Emmons bettered both of Liu's first shots to give him the lead he needed to take the second step on the podium.

Sgt. 1st Class Jason A. Parker of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit was only two points away from the Bronze. A 9.8 and 9.7 in the first three shots brought him to the back of the pack, and even his 10.9 and 10.7 couldn't put him on the medals stand. Ryan Tanoue of the USA shot a 594 for 14th place.

The entire women's field was within one to two points of each other, with the eighth shooter entering with a 397 and the top shooter entering with a 399. It was less than one point that put Zhang on top of the podium. She shot a 503.3 to narrowly take the Gold, while Germany's Sonja Pfeilschifter trailed by only 6/10ths of a point to earn the Silver.

Beyerle followed for the Bronze by only 7/10ths of a point from the leader. Katie Kurkova of the Czech Republic missed the medals stand by 1/10ths of a point, making the discipline the tightest match of the day.

Also in air rifle for the women's squad was Emily Caruso whose first 10-string gave her a perfect 100, but followed with a 97, 99 and
99 for 395. With such a competitive event she was unable to make the finals and finished in 15th place; Amy Sowash hit a 390 for 48th.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit is hosting the International Shooting Sport Federation Rifle and Pistol World Cup USA through April 7 at the USAMU ranges off Dixie Road by USA Shooting, the national governing body for Olympic shooting sports.

Countries that are participating in the World Cup USA include:
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands.

Media are invited to cover the World Cup but should coordinate with the Fort Benning Public Affairs Office before coming to post.

The schedule of events is as follows:
April 3: Men's and Women's Air Pistol competitions, finals and awards.

April 4: Men's and Women's Three-Position Rifle competitions, finals and awards.
April 5: Men's Rapid Fire Pistol competitions, finals and awards.
April 6: Women's Sport Pistol competitions, finals and awards.
April 7: Men's Free Pistol and Free Rifle Prone competitions, finals and awards; Closing Ceremony.

For more information on the World Cup, call the USAMU Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436