India's Sheeraz Sheikh finishes sixth at Shooting World Cup

New Delhi, March 3 (CNMSPORTS) India's Sheeraz Sheikh finished sixth in the men's Skeet event on the final day of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup here on Thursday.

Sheikh produced the best performance of his career, shooting 121 in qualifying and even getting the better of former world champion and World No.8 Jesper Hensen of Denmark in a shoot-off for a place in the final round.

But he fizzled out in the final and could only manage to take the sixth spot. 

This was Sheeraz' first ever World Cup final in his seven-year career and it comes on the back of another final appearance in the recently held Asian Shotgun Championships in Abu Dhabi, where he finished fifth.

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The gold went to Italy's Riccardo Filippelli, who beat compatriot and reigning Olympic champion Gabriele Rossetti in the final. Paul Adams of Australia got the bronze medal.

India finished with five medals -- one gold, two silver and two bronze. The hosts are at the fifth place in the medals tally behind table toppers China, Italy, Australia and Japan.

It has arguably been one of India's best finishes at the World Cup with former Asian champion Jitu Rai winning their lone gold in the men's 50m Pistol event apart from a bronze in the 10m Air Pistol.

Amanpreet Singh and Ankur Mittal clinched silver medals in men's 50m Pistol and men's Double Trap respectively while Pooja Ghatkar got bronze in the women's Air Rifle event.