Sheikh Ahmed shoots for eighth place

The UAE's Sheikh Ahmed Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum finished a competitive eighth after the first day's action in the 14th Asian Games trap shooting event at the Changwon International shooting range.

Sheikh Ahmed scored 68 points in the three attempts , with three points separating him from the top place finisher. He scored 22 points in his first attempt, 23 points in the second and third attempts - for a total of 68 points.

The trap event will be completed today with the remaining two attempts to be held at the same venue. Jethro Dionisio of Philippines is currently heading the standings with 71 points.

Yongile Zhang of China was second with 71 points while Tao Chen Wei of Taipei was third with 70 points. World Champion Khalid Al Mudhaf of Kuwait was seventh with 69 points.

Meanwhile Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived in Busan yesterday to also take part in the shooting competition.

Sheikh Saeed was received at Busan Airport by Abdullah Mohammed Al Shurafa, the UAE ambassador to Korea, Abdul Razaq Hadi, assistant ambassador and UAE Olympic attache, Dr Ahmed Saad Al Sherrif, the UAE head of delegation in Busan, and Mohammed Al Khaja, UAE head of delegation in the athletes village.

Sheikh Saeed said after his arrival that he will do his best to achieve excellent results for the UAE national team after he achieved great success at the international and Olympic level.

Sheikh Saeed said that the best shooters from China, Kuwait and Qatar were participating in the 14th Asian Games.

"The Asian Games is like the World Championship because the world champions and the world record holders are taking part," he said. "The UAE team is well prepared for the Asian Games and I hope luck will be with us."

However, Sheikh Saeed who will compete in the skeet shooting event which starts on Monday said that the period of training at the range was not enough.

"We get only one hour of practicing which is not enough for getting used to the range. But I hope every thing will be in good condition for the competition which will be very tough," he said.

Sheikh Saeed said that he received some information about the range which is no different to the one used at the World Championship held in Finland. "I heard that the background colour for the range is green which will help our shooters," he added.

The ladies shooting events will start today with the 10 metre air pistol event at the Changwon International shooting range. UAE will be represented by three shooters -Shamma Ahmed Al Muhairi, Sumayea Saleh Mubarak and Fatima Darwish.