KUWAIT: Kuwaiti shooters were praised after winning a total five medals in men's and women's events at the Fifth Italian Open Amir Shotgun Cup in Todi, Italy. Following their return home after the international competition ended on Tuesday, Kuwait Shooting Federation President Duaij Al-Otaibi said the shooters prepared well for the event, named after His Highness the Amir of Kuwait. A total 400 marksmen from 16 nations took part in the annually-held 10-day event, organized under the initiative of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Rome. The participation provided Kuwaitis with a unique opportunity to prepare for upcoming tournaments, most notably the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Al-Otaibi told reporters.

Abdulrahman Al-Faihan, who earlier qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after clinching gold in the men's trap event in Italy, said competition was at its toughest in the final stages against his Italian rivals. But his focus and determination were enough for him to pull through in the competition, he said, is "dear to all Kuwaitis."The World Championship 2018 trap bronze-medalist and team gold medalist, who makes it to the Olympics for the second time in his career, added that the accomplishment would spur him on towards a place on the Olympics podium. Iman Al-Shamma, who won gold in the individual women's skeet and bronze in the teams events at the Italian Open, said her victory enables progression to the World Championship. Al-Shamma's main goal for now is to keep the momentum going in order to qualify to the Olympic Games. Other medals in the competition included a silver in the men's double trap for Ahmad Al-Afasi, women's team bronze for Al-Shamma alongside Fatima Al-Zaabi and Sheikha Al-Rashidi and a men's veteran shooters' gold for Husam Al-Roumi. - KUNA