Aust complete Rio shooting quota haul

Australia have dominated the Oceania shooting titles, collecting a total of 18 quotas for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, one more than London.

Australia have powered through the Oceania shooting championship in Sydney, collecting 14 out of 15 available quotas, bringing the total to 18 for the 2016 Rio Olympics, one more than the London Games.

On Wednesday's final day, Keith Ferguson (Vic) won the men's skeet title plus a quota for Australia.

Fellow Victorian James Bolding claimed silver and picked up the second quota on offer. Paul Adams (Qld) won bronze.

Ferguson negotiated tricky weather conditions during the final.

"I'm stoked with the quota - it was a solid performance from all three Aussie boys in the final. I changed back to my old gun a few months ago and worked really hard and set my goal on winning this title and the quota.

"I've got my sights firmly on Rio and I am very determined. I have lost weight, trained hard, I go to the gym and eat better - everything I can think of to get there," Ferguson said.

In the 25m rapid fire pistol, rising star Sergei Evglevski (Vic) won the title but the quota went to bronze medallist David Chapman (SA), the only Australian in the final to have shot a minimum qualification score. Bruce Quick (Vic) claimed silver.

Chapman said he had a quiet confidence and a fire in his belly to get to Rio.

"I was very pleased to get a good score in the first half of the qualifier and then just tried to remain consistent. We were three Aussies in the final and had to shoot off for the medals and, whilst I certainly wasn't nervous, I just tried to do the basics.

"Sergei was very solid and proved to be the better one in the end. To get to Rio would be great; I really look forward to the challenge of the selection events early next year," Chapman said.

Chef de Mission for the Rio Olympics, Kitty Chiller, watched both finals.

"There's 247 days to Rio today. Qualifications are on in earnest now right around the world and it's great to see a total of 18 spots now for shooting - one more than London.

"Our goal is for Australia to be in the top five in the Olympic Games. To get a sport like shooting back on to the podium with a couple of medals in Rio would be fantastic," Chiller said.


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Source: AAP


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