Katrin Quooss retained her shotgun trap gold at the 49th CISM World Military Shooting Championship yesterday.
At the Losail Shooting Range, the calm and composed Quooss claimed the first gold of the championship as she brushed off the challenge of Wang Jinglin of China in the gold medal shoot-out to clinch the top spot.
“It is a very nice feeling to win the first gold of the championship. Happy to open my account and also that of my contingent at the championship,” said Quooss, who won last year at the World Military Shooting Championship in South Korea.
Jinglin lost the final shoot-out 15-12 and had to settle for silver on the first day of the eight-day championship, which is being contested by over 700 athletes from 50 countries.
China had more success on the medal front as Wang Yajun won the bronze medal, beating compatriot Wang Xiaojing 13-10 in the shoot-out.
“It was very warm, very interesting and I had so much fun in the final,” said the 30-year-old from Liebenthal.
Quooss said she kept herself focused in the final which helped her to win the gold medal.
“All the girls were in top form and shot very well. It was tough competition. I concentrated hard and that’s what made the difference in the end result,” she added.
The German contingent also opened their medals account with Quooss’ gold.
Quooss was delighted by the facilities on offer at the Losail Shooting Range and said she would love to return for another shooting competition in Qatar.
“This is the first time I am talking part in an event in Qatar. The facilities here are excellent and I would love to return and compete here again. It was such fun shooting here and I loved shooting here,” said Quooss.
For Quooss, it was her third gold at a major championship having won gold two years back at the 51st ISSF World Championship in Granada, Spain, and last year’s gold in South Korea.
Wang Jinglin was understandably disappointed for narrowly missing gold.
“I am happy to win silver today. I was aiming for the gold, but I narrowly missed the gold as I was little bit disturbed by the referee’s call in the final round,” Wang, who was part of the China’s trap team which won Military World Games gold.
She had won trap bronze in South Korea in the last edition of the championship.
“It was a very tough outing today. We have some very good shooters in the semifinals and I am happy to see three Chinese among top four,” she said.