The four-time world champion broke the world record of 75 hits established by Australia's James Willett at the first World Cup stage of the year in India's capital New Delhi in February.

Silver medallist Artem Nekrasov of Russia finished six clays behind Di Spigno, who returned to the top of an ISSF podium for the first time since 2014, at the Larnaca Olympic Shooting Range.

"This is my 10th ISSF World Cup gold medal," said the 42-year-old Italian, who is currently ranked 60th in the world.

"I think this is a nice way to close the circle.

"During the final I shot at my best, focusing on each pair of targets.

"I was not tired.

"I was not afraid.

"The clays seemed to fly so slow, they seemed so big.

"That's just an impression of course, but that's what happens when I am doing well.

"I knew I was going to make it."

Di Spigno missed just two targets throughout the final at the end of a competition day where he shot 138+15 targets to qualify for the medal match.

Davide Gasperini, the second Italian finalist, closed the elimination-style final in third place with 56 hits.

He finished in front of Malta's first-time finalist Gianluca Chetcuti, who registered 45 hits.

London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Vasily Mosin of Russia made it to the final with today's highest qualification score, 142 hits, but then dropped five targets in the first part of the medal match and ended up fifth with 35 hits.

Fifteen-year-old Indian Shapath Bharadwaj, today’s youngest competitor, scored 26 targets to finish the first final of his career in sixth place.

The next final in Larnaca is scheduled for Friday (May 5) when medals will be awarded in the women’s trap.