Sidi shoots way to gold on opening day of ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup

Sidi claimed victory in the men's 10m air rifle event on the opening day of the ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup competition ©Getty Images

Hungary’s Péter Sidi claimed gold in the first rifle and pistol event of the season on the opening day of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Rifle and Pistol World Cup in Changwon, South Korea.

Sidi proved too strong for the rest of the field in the 10 metres air rifle final as he finished with a total of 208.2 points, beating world champion Yang Haoran of China by 1.5 points.

The 19-year-old managed a haul of 206.7 to claim silver, while compatriot Zhu Qinan, , the Athens 2004 Olympic gold medallist, rounded off the podium by taking bronze with 185.3 points.

The result gave Sidi an Olympic quota place for Rio 2016 for his country, and due to the fact that Yang and Zhu had already sealed quota spots, the remaining two available at the event went to South Korea's Kim Sang Do, who was fourth, and fifth-placed Nicolas Schallenberger of Germany.

Reigning world champion Yang Haoran had to settle for silver on home soil — Reigning world champion Yang Haoran had to settle for silver in Changwon ©Getty Images

Sidi could now get the chance to compete at his fifth consecutive Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, although he admitted he is not looking too far ahead into the future.

“I will participate in the next ISSF World Cup stages this year and then I will prepare for the first European Games,” the 34-year-old Hungarian said.

“I am very excited about this new competition, it will be really important for European athletes, on the road leading to Rio.

“But before that, let's think about this World Cup stage as it's not over yet.

“I will be competing in the small-bore events in the next days.

“The 50m rifle 3 positions competition is my favourite: I won the 2010 World Championship in that discipline and I am looking forward to make it to the finals again.”

The third ISSF World Cup leg of the season includes 10 Olympic pistol and rifle events and will see 571 athletes from 68 countries compete for a total of 24 Rio 2016 quota places.

The event in the South Korean city continues tomorrow with the men’s 50m pistol event before the women’s 10 air rifle and the 25m women’s pistol competitions take place.