Shooting World Cup bronze for UAE national Saif Khalifa Bin Futtais

Dubai: Saif Khalifa Bin Futtais, a UAE national, won a bronze medal at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico.

Bin Futtais pipped the Jon McGrath of the United States 15 hits to 14 in the men’s skeet bronze-medal match, securing his first ISSF medal. It is also a first ISSF medal for Arabs and Asians. Bin Futtais qualified for the semi-finals with 119 hits out of 125.

This is his first participation after the new ISSF rule changes, which have brought about the most extensive set of modifications in the sport’s history while implementing a completely new finals format.

After the qualification rounds, which are conducted under the old rules, the top-six shooters advance to the semi-final — a new competition stage. The qualification score is not carried forward as all the semi-finalists start from zero.

Bin Futtais dedicated the medal to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.