Olympic champion shocked by Russian at ISSF World Cup

Russia's Kirill Grigoryan claimed gold in his first-ever ISSF World Cup final with victory over Olympic champion Matthew Emmons ©ISSF

Russia’s Kirill Grigoryan defied his lowly world ranking to stun 2004 Olympic champion Matthew Emmons to claim the gold medal in the men’s 50 metre rifle prone event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Gabala.

The 23-year-old, competing in his maiden ISSF World Cup final, scored a total of 209.3 points, 0.9 ahead of the American.

Tomas Jerabek, a two-time Olympian, secured the final spot on the podium to take home bronze along with an all-important Rio 2016 quota place.

The other quota for next year’s Olympic Games went to Denmark's Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallist Toben Grimmel, the fourth-placed finisher.

The day, however, belonged to world number 62 Grigoryan.

He was far from daunted in the final despite the calibre of opponent and was calm under pressure to claim his first-ever ISSF World Cup gold medal.

“I feel really great because this is my first final and my first medal in a World Cup stage, it couldn't end up in a better way,” he said.

“I was not stressed too much by the fact that I was competing shoulder and shoulder with an Olympic champion.

“We're all humans, we can all win or lose a match.

“During the qualifications, I was convinced I could make it into the final and as I went through the match, I realised I could event win it.

“That's my way: I move on step by step.”

China secured a one-two in the men's rapid fire pistol event as Hu Haozhe (right) edged teammate Lao Jiajie ©ISSF

Elsewhere on the fifth day of the event in Azerbaijan's most ancient city, China's Hu Haozhe sealed a maiden ISSF World Cup title, claiming victory in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event ahead of team-mate Lao Jiajie.

Hu recorded a total of 32 hits to ensure he topped the podium as compatriot Lao managed 30 to finish in the top three of a World Cup competition for the first time.

The result gave both Chinese shooters a Rio 2016 quota place for their coutnry, with Frenchman Boris Artaud clinching his first-ever World Cup medal, taking bronze.

Neither of the two Chinese competitors have made an appearance at the Olympic Games before and both will be hoping their performance today will enhance their prospects of selection for Rio 2016.

The last ISSF World Cup event of the season is due to continue tomorrow with the men’s 10m air pistol and women’s 50m rifle three positions finals.