Australia’s shooters today boarded the plane for the next round of the ISSF World Cup in Beijing, China (17-24 April).

Following the successful pistol and rifle World Cup in Sydney last month, where Warren Potent claimed gold and Dina Aspandiyarova silver, Australia’s top shotgun exponents will join the team in the Chinese capital.

Potent will lead the Australian charge in the rifle section, as he looks to stay on top of the World Cup standings in the men’s 50m prone rifle. The Beijing Olympic bronze medallist has one eye on the World Championships and Commonwealth Games later in the year, and is in top form.

Dual Olympic gold medallist Michael Diamond will meanwhile aim to improve on his eighth place from the first shotgun World Cup of 2010 (March 1-10, Mexico). Diamond was the only Australian who attended the Mexico leg of the World Cup series, but will be joined in the men’s trap by Adam Vella.

Vella has been in blistering form early in 2010, winning both Australia Cups and securing selection on the Australian team for the 2010 ISSF World Championships.

Shooting Australia CEO Nick Sullivan says the 13 Australian shooters will face strong competition at the 2008 Olympic venue.

“The second World Cup for the year will see a significant improvement in form across the board from all countries,” Sullivan said. “The shooting range in Beijing is still in really good condition after the past Olympics and I expect there will be some high scores in all classes.

“Winning two medals in the rifle and pistol World Cup in Sydney was an excellent effort and when you include the shotgun athletes into the mix in China, I expect we could achieve some good results.”

The opening ceremony starts proceedings on April 17, before James Bolding and Keith Ferguson shoot in the men’s skeet on the opening morning of competition (18 April).

The World Cup season provides the backbone to the 2010 international season which is headlined by the ISSF World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

The 2010 ISSF World Championships will run from July 31-August 10 in Munich, Germany, while the 2010 Commonwealth Games are scheduled in Delhi, India from October 3-14.

Shooting Australia