Adam Vella (Keilor, VIC) and Michael Diamond (Gold Coast, QLD) have come within one target of making the final of the men’s trap at the 2011 ISSF World Shotgun Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Diamond and Vella finished the five rounds of competition both on a score of 121 from 125, with 122 making a shoot-off for the six-person final.

The Australian duo despite missing the final both secured Performance Qualifying Scores (PQS), which is a score of 121 or higher in men’s trap and a score that is considered when choosing Australian teams.

Diamond entered the final day of the men’s trap on 74 targets from 75 and shot a perfect 25 in his fourth round, before hitting 22 targets in his final round.

Despite missing the final, Diamond qualified for the World Cup Final which is being held Dubai at the start of October.

“I felt really comfortable three quarters of the way through the last round, but started needing the second barrel and was jumping all over them,” Diamond said. “I tried to adjust my timing but missed three of the last eight which was a bit disappointing.

“The 121 is a good score and it’s another one to add to the list. I’ve qualified for the World Cup Final in three weeks time which is a positive so I am looking forward to competing at them.”

Vella scored rounds of 23 and 25 to match Diamond’s score and finish one away from the final, with the Victorian showing strong form across the two days of the event.

Australia has one more chance to qualify a second quota place in the men’s trap for the 2012 London Olympic Games, which will come at the 2011 Oceania Championships at the Sydney International Shooting Centre from November 26-December 1.

Diamond will not be allowed to qualify that place as he already won a quota place for Australia with his silver medal at the World Cup in Slovenia in July, but Vella’s form will leave him in good shape for that event.

In the junior men’s trap, Joshua Collard (Port Melbourne, VIC) finished on a total of 114, Russell McCloy (Newcastle, NSW) scored 113 and Michael McNabb (Castle Cove, NSW) 109.

Australia’s women’s trap contingent will tomorrow complete its final training before their event is held on Thursday (September 8).

Suzy Balogh (Green Valley, NSW), Laetisha Scanlan (Berwick, VIC) and Catherine Skinner (Mansfield, VIC) will compete in the women’s trap, while Kelly Coogan (Darwin, NT) and Teegan McCloy (Old Bar, NSW) contest the junior women’s trap.

All competitors will shoot three rounds of 25, before a six-person final for the women’s trap is held on the same afternoon.

Australian International Shooting Ltd.