2019 European Clay-target shooting Championship: at Lonato

The Trap Men final of the European Clay pigeon shooting Championship ended in the best way for Jiri Liptak, a Czech Republic athlete who employs Gemini chokes. At the field in Lonato del Garda, our shooter got to te top step of the podium reaching the European Champion title as well as the access to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Despite a hard qualification because of the weather conditions, Liptak managed to achieve the final phase. Aware of the opportunity of opening the door towards the next Olympics, the Czech athlete was able to regain concentration after a not so satisfactory start and to grab the victory with an excellent 46 out of 50. - “I knew this was one of the last chances to get a place for Tokyo and many people expected such result. Luckily I handled the pressure outstandingly: I won the European Champion title and sealed the pass!” - here are the words of Liptak at the end of the competition, enthusiastic over the aims achieved.

Aaron Heading (GBR) also stepped onto the podium, as he ranked the second thaks to a 44 out of 50, awarding him with a further place. Conversely the third position was attained by the Italian policeman from Taranto Mauro De Filippis, who, after an excellent beginning committed two consecutive mistakes, preventing him awith advancing to the Olympics.

With this achievement Liptak completes his collection of medals obtained throughout several European Championships. Besides the two bronze medals of the past a further gold one worthing much more than a victory: the possibility of competing in the Olympics is a dream for many. An aspiration that the Czech shooter is going to experience first-hand in a year's time, when he will be stading on the shooting paltforms in Tokyo. Congratulations Jiri for the results reaped: we are glad you have become part of the family of shooters using Gemini chokes.