The traditional trophy sponsored by SIUS closed this year's ISSF World Cup Final. Two Olympic Champions secured the 5000 € award: Nicco Campriani of Italy (Rifle) and Pang Wei of the People's Republic of China (Pistol).
The 2014 ISSF Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun World Cup Final in Gabala was closed by the SIUS's Champions Trophy, the traditional competition that brings the very best athletes of the world cup final on the shooting line. .
That's a challenge that only the top athletes can take. Indeed, only the ISSF World Cup Final medallists are eligible to participate in the two Champions Trophies: the 10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Rifle mixed knock-out rounds.
The formula of the trophy is appealing: after four competition shots, the participant with the lowest score is eliminated, and from there on, one shot after the other, the shooter with the lowest total has to leave the match.
When only two athletes are left on the line, the total goes back to zero: the match turns into a duel, and three shots are fired to decide the winner.
Pang Wei of the People's Republic of China – a 2008 Olympic Champion – won the 10m Air Pistol Champions Trophy, beating the Russian record-setter Leonid Ekimov at the very last shot.
Two Olympic Champions met at the Rifle event, where Italy's Niccolo Campriani outdid Pang's teammate Yi Siling to secure the trophy.
The two winners were awarded 5.000,00 Euro each, sponsored by the SIUS company, the ISSF official results provider that has a long tradition in supporting the shooting sport.