Italy's Gabriele Rossetti hit every target during the men's skeet final to win gold ©ISSF

Italy’s Gabriele Rossetti upset world champion Vincent Hancock of the United States to win the men’s skeet title on the second day of the International Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup Final in Nicosia.

The 20-year-old had reached the semi-final in Cyprus' capital, hitting 122 targets during the five qualifying rounds, but Hancock and Denmark’s Jesper Hansen led the way, ending on totals of 123, with the later having hit all 25 targets in four rounds.

Two missed targets, though, in the semi-final saw Hansen only advance to the bronze medal match, while Hancock only had one blip and Rossetti produced a faultless round to reach to the contest for gold.

A repeat performance from Rossetti in the final saw him claim his maiden senior title with Hanock forced to settle for silver after hitting 15 of the 16 targets.

“First of all I was honoured to take part in a gold medal match against him,” said Rossetti.

“I had fun, I told myself to try to beat the best, I felt no pressure and finally I won.

“Of course the pressure between different competitions varies, but I try to focus on the targets, they are always the same, they don’t change.”

World champion Vincent Hancock was forced to settle for silver in Nicosia
World champion Vincent Hancock was forced to settle for silver in Nicosia behind Italy's Gabriele Rossetti ©ISSF

The bronze medal contest proved to be an exciting affair as the United Arab Emirates’ Saif Bin Futtais gave up a chance to earn a podium finish, missing his final shot to end level on 14 hits alongside Hansen.

The Danish shooter made the most of his reprieve as he held his nerve during the shoot-off to take bronze.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the women's trap final and the World Cup Final is set to draw to a close on Tuesday (October 20) after the men's trap medals are decided.



Related stories
October 2015: Hill claims maiden ISFF World Cup Final title as Britain earn both titles on opening day in Nicosia
September 2015: Olympic champion Hancock seals second world title as ISSF Shotgun World Championships draw to dramatic close
September 2015: China's Huang claims maiden medal with men's junior double trap gold at ISSF Shotgun World Championships
September 2015: Morgan Craft wins women's skeet title and earns Rio 2016 berth at ISSF Shotgun World Championships
September 2015: Slovakian retains men's trap world title after thrilling shoot-off at ISSF Shotgun World Championships