Today's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men final turned into a great match for the German team, that collected two medals and one Olympic quota place, completing their qualification slots for Rio 2016 in this event.
The world rank's leader Oliver Geis (23) become the protagonist of the competition. The German pistol shooter confirmed to be the best in the world in this event, leading the match from the second finals' series right to the end, and climbing atop of the podium with a score of 33 hits and 3 hits of advantage on his followers.
Geis had moved atop of the world ranking by winning Silver at last year's ISSF World Championship in Granada, Spain – where he also secured a Rio 2016 Quota place - and another Silver medal at the first rifle and pistol world cup stage of this season, in Changwon, Korea.
Today, he upset the reigning Olympic Champion Leuris Pupo of Cuba (38), who could not catch him up and landed in second place with 30 hits. Pupo shot his way to the podium by winning a shoot-off against China's Li Yuehong after the sixth series, and then overtaking Geis' teammate, Christian Reitz (28). By finishing in second, the Cuban athlete also claimed a Rio 2016 Quota spot, booking a ticket for his fifth Olympic participation.
Reitz, who scored 24 hits, finished in third place collecting today's Bronze, as well as the second quota up for grabs.
“I did not feel much pressure today, as I have already won a quota last year, and that makes it a little bit easier for me.” Geis said after the final.
“It has been a great match. The conditions were perfect, and I am happy to be on the podium with my teammate Christian Reitz. He won the second quota for our nation, which was the aim! We are a great team, we train together everyday.” Today's winner said, wearing the Gold medal.
“We will compete at the next world cup in Munich and then in the European Games.” The coach of the German team Detelf Glenz said. “This season is mainly a preparation for the Olympic Games. Our aim was to secure the second quota, which we achieved today. From now on, everything is going to be easier: we will now put the pedal to the metal and prepare at our best for Rio 2016.”
Li Yuehong of the People's Republic of China (25), currently ranked third in the world, finished his final in fourth place with 22 hits, missing the qualification slot. Following him, the 2008 Olympic finalist Roman Bondaruk of Ukraine (40) took the fifth place with 14 hits, while USA's Keith Sanderson (40) closed in sixth with 10 hits.
The action continues, at the ISSF World Cup in Fort Benning. The next medals will be assigned at tomorrow's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women event, which will take place at 12.15 (GMT-4) and will be broadcasted live on www.issf-sports.org