By Liam Morgan

Frenchman Anthony Terras claimed victory in the men's skeet event to round off the Shotgun World Cup in Al Ain in style ©ISSFOlympic bronze medallist Anthony Terras of France claimed gold in the men's skeet competition to finish the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Shotgun World Cup event at the Al Ain's Equestrian, Shooting and Golf club in the United Arab Emirates in style.

Terras, an Olympic bronze medallist at Beijing 2008, cleared the semi-final in perfect fashion by dropping all 16 targets.

That set up a meeting with Denmark's 2013 world champion Jasper Hansen in the final, and the Frenchman nearly repeated the feat he managed at the last four stage as he outclassed the Dane 15 to 13.

By virtue of reaching the gold medal contest, Hansen earned Denmark a Rio 2016 quota spot, and Cyprus' Andreas Chasikos also claimed a vital quota place for his nation by finishing third.

There was an element of surprise in world number 43 Chasikos securing bronze as he had to beat double Olympic champion Vincent Hancock of the United States to claim a place on the podium.

Terras meanwhile had already clinched Rio 206 quota berth for France following his second place finish at the 2014 ISSF World Championship in Granada, Spain.

Cypriot Andreas Chasikos claimed a shock bronze by beating America's double Olympic champion Vincent Hancock ©ISSF/Nicolo ZangirolamiCypriot Andreas Chasikos claimed a shock bronze by beating America's double Olympic champion Vincent Hancock ©ISSF/Nicolo Zangirolami



"Having already won an Olympic quota helps me to be more focused," the 29-year-old Frenchman said.

"The most difficult thing of this sport is keeping your mind clear.

"It's tough for the guys who haven't secured a quota yet.

"That's a lot of pressure, and that can lead to mistakes."

Terras had recovered from injury to take part in the event in Al Ain, and he insisted he had no expectations of winning while also confirming he will not be participating at the next Shotgun World Cup event, due to be held in Changwon, South Korea, from April 8 to 16.

"I still can't believe how I made it to the podium," he said.

"I recently had an operation at my wisdom tooth, I stopped training for one month and I am only shooting since ten days.

"I did not expect it.

"My next goal is the European Games.

"I won't take part in the next ISSF World Cup stage, to give an opportunity to my teammates to pocket the second quota.

"At the same time, I will prepare for Baku [the European Games]."

Italy finished top of the medal table thanks to a clean sweep of the women's skeet event as they took home two golds, two silvers and two bronze, while the Czech Republic, France and Russia all tied for second with one gold each.

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