Chetcuti second behind UAE champion after two shoot-offs

William Chetcuti confirmed his status as Malta's best-ever sportsman when displaying all his skill and technical acumen in Double Trap shooting yesterday. He finished second in a World Cup shoot which was held in Belgrade, the Serbia and Montenegro capital.

Chetcuti, 20, required great concentration and precision during the competition at the range in BG Sportski centre, Kovilovo. The winner was the renowned Athens Olympics gold medallist Ahmed Al Maktoum.

The United Arab Emirates ace qualified for the final with a comfortable 145 from a possible 150.

Al Maktoum was first on the leaderboard ahead of Indian's Singh Rathore, 142, and five other shooters all on the 141-mark. Among them was Chetcuti.

The 'Bidnija prodigy' smashed 47 clays in the first round and that was followed by a 46 and a superb 48. In the shoot-off for a place in the final he held his nerve and qualified after two legs.

The last slot was contested on the 10th leg and went Mikko Makitalo's way. The Finn was the last to qualify at the expense of Chinese shooter S. Li.

In the final Al Maktoum, who practised regularly at the Kovilovo range for several days before the competition, hit 47 clays, the same as Chetcuti and Makitalo.

United States competitor Walton Eller was out of contention for a place on the podium after missing four clays in the final.

Al Maktoum went on to claim the gold medal on 192 points but Chetcuti and Makitalo had to go through another shoot-off to determine the other two positions on the winners' rostrum. Chetcuti outwitted his direct rival on the sixth leg when the 27-year-old Finn, a former World Cup winner, missed his shot.

Belgrade has lately become a good hunting ground for Chetcuti.

In fact, earlier this month he was a whisker away from winning the European Junior Championship after finishing second in another high-profile Double Trap competition at the same Kovilovo range.

On that occasion, he reached the final with a 138 score and added that up with another 44 for an overall 185.

Yesterday, he finished with an improved 188. Coach Jimmy Bugeja could hardly breathe with tension after the competition.

"We knew he could do it, we felt it inside all week," he said.

"In Tuesday's official training he scored 146. That was a clear indication for us that William was in his peak form.

"I've been coaching him for four years now and I've always said that one day he will make it big.

"A silver medal in the World Cup is indeed remarkable but I'm sure he'll go one step further next time.

"The federation is behind him and so are all the sports authorities in the country."

Chetcuti is no longer the timid guy who shies away from the limelight. He has become a confident person in and out of the sporting arena and that reflects positively on his chances.

"I'm really happy with this silver medal," he said.

"My score was even better than the week before as this time I felt more comfortable at the range.

"The coach prepared a hectic week of training and it paid off.

"It's good to have people like Jimmy and federation president Saviour Portelli around."

Chetcuti is not making long-term plans for now. He knows that the Beijing Olympics are a distant target but for now he's looking to share his joy with his family and friends at Bidnija before concentrating on other international dates this year.

"There are very few shoots bigger than the World Cup but for now I am focusing on my next competition abroad, either in Brazil or Dubai later this year," he said.

"You know, when I'm in competition I don't really think about my medal chances but I just focus on the clays flying in front of me. I feel like I want to hit them all... that makes me ever more hungry for success."

Among those phoning Chetcuti in Belgrade yesterday to congratulate him were the Minister of Education Louis Galea and high-ranking officials from the Malta Olympic Committee and Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport.

In all, the World Cup Double Trap was contested by 44 shooters. Vitaly Fokeev, of Russia, and Rathore were the only ones to hit a 50-straight in the qualifying process.

Chetcuti was not the only Maltese shooter in the World Cup. Jason Sciberras figured in Skeet and Stanley Cardona, Nicky Carabott and Antoine Bugeja were in the Trap line-up.

Sciberras was 68th from 80 with a 111 score. The competition was won by Spain's M. Nunez. He hit an incredible five straights on his way to a 149 score.

Cardona was Malta's best-placed shooter in Trap. He was 54th (115) and Carabott 70th (111). Bugeja was 84th (107). Ninety-five shooters took part. E. Bernasconi is the Trap champion with a 146 score.

The Maltese shooters are expected back today at 7 p.m.