Top honours for Miles, Laparra and Al Rashidi in Nad Al Sheba Shooting Championships

American Gebben Miles, Spain’s Beatriz Cuenca Laparra and Kuwait’s Abdullah Al Rashidi claimed the top honours in the three categories at the first Nad Al Sheba Sporting Clays Championship held at the Al Ruwayyah shooting range on Wednesday.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the championship had a total prize purse of $735,000.

Gebben Miles overturned a three-point disadvantage from fellow American Anthony Matarese and British champion Sean Bramley after Tuesday’s penultimate day, to finish the six-man final with a total of 178 points.

Jose Manuel Rodriguez of Spain and Matarese were tied for second at the end of the final and the sudden death shoot-off had to be implemented to decide the second spot.

Matarese held his nerve to finish a point ahead of Rodriguez leaving Scott Robertson of the US, and British shooters Christopher Broomfield and Sean Bramley behind.

In the women’s competition it was Beatriz Cuenca Laparra all the way as she continued with her consistent form to end with a total of 151 points leaving Desirae Edmunds of the USA and Martina Maruzzo of Italy in second and third places respectively.

Kuwait maintained a tight hold on the Middle East category with Abdullah Al Rashidi winning ahead of the UAE’s Obaid Bin Dawi while fellow Kuwaiti and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Fahad Al Dhehani claimed the third spot.

Miles was presented the the men’s winner cheque of $140,000, followed by $65,000 to Matarese and $40,000 for Rodriguez by the UAE’s Olympic Champion Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum and Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police presented the top finishers with the trophies and cash awards.

Beatriz Cuenca Laparra of Spain the winner of the women’s category received a cheque for $35,000, followed by $20,000 that went to Desirae Edmunds and $15,000 given to Martina Maruzzo of Italy for winning the third spot. The top finishers in the Middle East category shared from a fund of $135,000 for their efforts.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hasher Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Organising Committee was pleased with the huge response to the competition.

“The shooters have already started registering for next year and this shows how much esteem they hold this competition,” he said.

“Definitely, the plan will be to do much better the next year,” Sheikh Ahmed promised.
 
Results

Men

1. Gebben Miles (USA) 178
2. Anthony Matarese (USA) – wins on sudden death shoot-off
3. Jose Manuel Rodriguez (Spain)
 
Women

1. Beatriz Cuenca Laparra (Spain) 151
2. Desirae Edmunds (USA) 147
3. Martina Maruzzo (Italy) 145
 
Middle East

1. Abdullah Al Rashidi (Kuwait)
2. Obaid Bin Dawi (UAE)
3. Fahad Al Dhehani (Kuwait)

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