Chetcuti sets world record at Bidnija

Maltese shooter William Chetcuti yesterday set a new world record of 148 hits out of 150 when winning a double trap international tournament, organised by the Malta Shooting Federation (MSF) at its Bidnija ranges.

Yesterday's competition brought to an end a training camp organised by the MSF in preparation for the World Cup finals to be held in Dubai next month.

Chetcuti hit a 50-straight in the first round, 48 out of 50 in the second, and again maximum 50 hits in the third for a total of 148. In the final barrage, he shot 43, bringing his total to 191 points out of 200.

Chetcuti's score of 148 in the first three rounds shattered the previous world record of 147, set by Australia's Michael Diamond in a World Championship shoot in Barcelona in 1998.

The new world mark means that Chetcuti now holds the records in both the senior and junior categories. Chetcuti achieved a new junior world record of 146 hits when he won the European Championships in Nicosia last year.

Yesterday, Sweden's Hakan Dahlby was second with 188 points while in third place with 181 came Mikko Makitalo, of Finland.

The Finn was followed by Rodney Micallef (178), Philip Busuttil (144) and Joe Mifsud (126).