Kuwait tops medal table with 4 gold, two silver and three bronze

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Eighth International Shooting Grand Prix concluded on Thursday with the skeet event, as Kuwait shooters dominated the qualifying rounds with five out of six entering the medals rounds. The final round saw Bahrain's Tammar Al-Awatt exiting first leaving the five Kuwaitis competing against each other, with Abdelaziz Al-Faihan exiting in fifth place then Faisal Theyab in fourth competition for the medals was tough before Mansour Al-Rashidi scoring a total of 52 targets, followed by Abdallah Al-Torqi who hit 47 targets and Saud Habib hitting 39 targets.


First placed Eman Al-Shammaa with cup.

As for the women's competitions Eman Al-Shammaa won the gold medal followed by Qatar's Sarah Mohammad and the bronze medal went to Kazakhstan's Olga Panarina.

With the result, Kuwait tops the medals table with 4 gold, two silver and three bronze. Kuwait was followed by Serbia which secured four gold and two silver, Saudi Arabia with one gold and one silver, Oman also with one gold and one silver, Italy with one silver and one bronze, Armenia one silver, Bulgaria, Egypt, Bahrain and Qatar one bronze each. The closing ceremony who attended by President of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations, President of Italian Shooting Federation Luciano Rossi, Secretary General of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations and other dignitaries.

Secretary General of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Obaid Al-Osaimi appreciated the unlimited support HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Kuwait shooting and the tournaments that are hosted by Kuwait, as this plays the major role in the achievements and successes that are being achieved. Al-Osaimi conveyed thanks on behalf of the Chairman and Board Members to HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince for supporting Kuwait shooting which had Kuwait flag flying high in all international arenas.


Osaimi, Otaibi, Luciano Rossi with the winners.

Al-Osaimi pointed to the success of HH the Amir 8th tournament, adding that all participating countries lauded the tournament's success, which increases Kuwait Shooting Federations responsibility in the tournaments to be organized later.

Al-Osaimi also lauded the achievements of Kuwait shooters in the tournament which means the sport is moving on the right path, to reach and make more achievements in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Kuwait Shooting Sport Club Treasurer Essa Butaiban said HH the Amir Grand Prix achieved the success that was hoped for. He said Kuwait Shooting Federation always aim at being successful all the time, while having Kuwait shooters always at the ready through organizing and participating in major tournaments, which previously led to winning world championships and Olympic medals.


Kuwait winning team on the podium.

Butaiban hoped that Kuwait shooting continue its success and keep hosting tournaments under the patronage of HH the Amir.

Indonesian juniors air guns coach Glenn Clifton Apfel said he was happy to be involved in such a major tournament with good reputation, adding that his shooters gained very good experience as they competed with established world class shooters. He said the invitation from Kuwait Shooting Federation was highly appreciated. Apfel lauded the services KSF affords the sport of shooting, which helped his shooters get their guns after delays in transit. He said organization is outstanding and competitions were great, he also reminded of the era under the presidency of Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah of the Asian Shooting Confederation.

By Abdellatif Sharaa