Doha: Khalid Al Muhannadi reckons he’s come of age as a shooter after netting his second Skeet title within a span of five months.
Yesterday at the Losail Shooting Range, the RasGas employee upstaged two Qatari veterans, Masoud Hamad and Nasser Al Attiyah, to win gold at the Emir Cup for Shooting and Archery.
Khalid, who won his first major title at the Association Cup of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association in October last year at the same venue, overcame the tough challenge of Busan Asian Games gold medallist Masoud in the gold medal shoot-out.
The first round of the shootout was tied at 12-all but Khalid broke the ice winning it 16-14.
Khalid, who finished tenth at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Acapulco, Mexico this month, attributed his good form to the exposure he has got in the form of overseas training camps organised by Qatar Shooting and Archery Association on a regular basis.
“I have benefitted from the training camps held in various countries outside Qatar for last few months, which have been of immense help to me in improving my performance. Also taking part in the various championships outside Qatar has also been helped. My performance is on an upward curve because I have been practising with some ace shooters in Kuwait, Mexico and Spain to name a few,” said Khalid.
London Games bronze medallist and rally driver Nasser, who took time from his busy rallying schedule to take part in the event, took the bronze.
Nasser lauded the efforts of Khalid.
“It was a very good victory for young Khalid. I am happy for him as he has a bright future ahead of him.”
Talking about his own performance, he said: “I was not up to the mark as I was a bit tired. I am coming straight from Kuwait rally and my body was not relaxed.”
“I discussed with my coach about taking part in ongoing ISSF World Cup at Al Ain, and we have decided to skip the event. Hopefully, I will participate in the Cyprus leg of the World Cup,” he said.
In the women’s event, Hajar Mohammed Gulam topped, followed by Reem Guloom Al Shirshani and Dina Khamis Al Tubaishi. The curtains come down on the Emir Cup for Shooting and Archery Cup with the archery events on March 27 and 28. The peninsula
