By Nick Butler

American Kimberley Rhode utilised all of her experience to win the skeet competition at the ISSF World Cup in Acapulco ©ISSFReigning Olympic champion Kimberley Rhode ensured more success for the United States at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Acapulco, beating compatriot Caitlin Connor in the skeet final.


The 35-year-old, the London 2012 skeet gold medallist, who also claimed double trap titles at Atlanta 1996 and Athens 2004 and has won medals at five different Games, also secured a Quota place for what would be her sixth Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.

After qualifying with 72 targets, she scored a perfect 16 out of 16 in the semi-final and proved too strong once again in the final match against 24-year-old team mate Caitlin Connor.

"It couldn't go any much better, I am very very happy!" said Rhode, already the most successful female shooter in Olympic history.

"I am super-excited looking forward to 2016.

"I always hope for the best, but I also take one competition at a time, hopefully getting better and better. 

"In London, I finished with 99 hits out of 100 targets, maybe next time I can score them all."

Kimberley Rhode celebrates with her fellow medal winners following the conclusion of the skeet event at the ISSF World Cup in Acapulco ©ISSFKimberley Rhode celebrates with her fellow medal winners following the conclusion of the skeet event at the ISSF World Cup in Acapulco ©ISSF



Although silver medallist Connor would have ordinarily also secured a Quota place by virtue of reaching the final, she did not because the US had already received their maximum two slots after Brandy Drodz received one by virtue of winning last year's World Championships.

Wei Meng of China therefore received it instead after securing the bronze medal.

Cypriot opponent Andri Eleftheriou had initially qualified for the gold medal match, but received a heartbreaking one-point deduction for ready position violations, meaning she was relegated to the bronze medal match, and never recovered her form from there.

Action is due to continue in Mexico tomorrow at the season-opening shotgun World Cup with the men's skeet competition.

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