Nikolay Teplyy secured a tight victory over Egypt’s Azmy Mehelba in the skeet final ©ISSF

Russia’s Nikolay Teplyy triumphed in a tense shoot-off in the men’s skeet competition to bring the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup at the Baku Olympic Shooting Range to a close.

The 28-year-old had produced a spectacular display in the semi-final stage of the event by hitting all 16 targets to cruise into the final, having also impressed by scoring 123 hits in qualifying.

Egypt’s Azmy Mehelba matched Teplyy’s display, as he also advanced with an immaculate record to ensure himself of a podium finish in Azerbaijan’s capital city.

Mehelba looked on course to claim the gold medal when Teplyy missed his first shot of the final.

Then Mehelba faltered to leave the scores level heading into the close of the competition.

Eventually the contest was decided by a shoot-off, after both men had struck 15 targets, with Teplyy triumphing in the additional stage of the event by two hits to one.

Italian world record holder Tammaro Cassandro secured the final podium place, overcoming Egypt’s Mostafa Hamdy 16-11 in the bronze medal contest.

Petar Gorsa won his maiden World Cup title in Baku ©ISSF
Petar Gorsa won his maiden World Cup title in Baku ©ISSF

After Snejana Pejcic won women’s 50 metres rifle three positions gold yesterday, there was further success for Croatia, as Petar Gorsa won the equivalent men’s competition.

The 28-year-old found himself in second place after the kneeling and prone stages, with China’s Li Jiahong leading the standings on 308.6 points.

A strong sequence of shots during the standing stage saw Gorsa move to the top of the standings, the Croatian earning his maiden World Cup title by scoring 457.5 points.

India’s Sanjeev Rajput finished narrowly adrift on 456.9 points to take the silver medal, while bronze was claimed by South Korea’s Kim Hyeonjun, who scored 445.5.

Following his bright start, Li faded and missed out on a podium spot by ending fourth on 434.1 points.

The competition brought an end to the last stage of the World Cup series.

The World Cup Finals, however, are due to be held later this year.

Bologna will stage the Rifle and Pistol World Cup Final from October 4 to 10.

Rome is due to host the Shotgun World Cup Final from October 10 to 16.

The event will feature athletes who have qualified through the World Cup stages, defending champions and Rio 2016 Olympic medallists.