Hot Scott strikes Euro gold

Shooting star Steve Scott is celebrating winning a gold medal at the European Shotgun Championships.
Steve Scott (centre) is all smiles after winning gold at the European Shotgun Championships in HungarySteve Scott (centre) is all smiles after winning gold at the European Shotgun Championships in Hungary
Steve Scott (centre) is all smiles after winning gold at the European Shotgun Championships in Hungary

The Battle marksman won the double trap discipline in Sarlospuszta, Hungary, last weekend after defeating the reigning champion in a close-fought final.

He said: “I’m really pleased with that title. It’s the most consistent I’ve been shooting since I’ve linked up with Ahmed Al Maktoum (former Olympic gold medallist). I thought I knew a bit about shooting, but I didn’t even know one per cent of what he knows.”

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Scott came second in the initial part of the competition with scores of 28, 29, 26, 28 and 29 out of 30 for a total of 140/150. Italian, Marco Innocenti, led the way with 143.

The slate was wiped clean for the semi-final, a 30-target shoot-out between the leading six competitors with the top two going forward to the final.

Those two were Scott and Russian competitor Vasily Mosin, both of whom shot 27/30. One of the others shot 26 and the remaining three semi-finalists, including Innocenti, all shot 24.

The final produced near faultless shooting from both men. Scott missed his first target on the ninth pair and Mosin missed one on his 10th as both hit 29/30.

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With the scores level, the outcome had to be decided by a sudden death shoot-off and Scott eventually prevailed after world number one Mosin missed one of the second pair.

It was the second time that Scott has been crowned European champion, as well as winning the junior version, but he considers the Commonwealth Games pairs gold medal he won in 2010 as his best achievement to date.

Scott has also achieved two top 10 finishes in ISSF World Cup events this year, coming seventh in Tucson and ninth in Munich, where he shot a new personal best of 144/150.

The UK’s number one by a long way, Scott has qualified to represent England at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and is also looking forward to the World Championships in Grenada during September when an Olympic quota place will be up for grabs.

Scott, 29, wished to thank his PA and girlfriend Hannah, and his coach Al Maktoum. Any organisations wishing to sponsor Scott should email [email protected]

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