William Chetcuti failed to build on an impressive qualifying performance at the ISSF World Cup shoot in Nicosia yesterday as the Maltese double trap shooter had to settle for sixth place.
Chetcuti led the way after the opening five qualifying rounds when compiling scores of 29/30, 27/30, 29/30 before wrapping up with two straights in the final two rounds for an overall score of 145/150.
That remarkable tally enabled Chetcuti to finish six points clear of his closest opponents, Jeffrey Holgiun, of the US, and Andreas Loew, of Germany.
But in the semi-final round, Chetcuti missed three clays that shattered his hopes of advancing to the medal matches.
Italy’s Alessandro Chianese claimed gold when defeating Holgiun in the final.
James Willet, of Australia, took the bronze medal.
The other Maltese shooter in Nicosia, Nathan Lee Xuereb, amassed 132 points and placed 18th overall.