William Chetcuti just misses double trap final, Marcon Bezzina defeated in Judo

Malta's William Chetcuti came an agonising eighth in the Men's double trap qualification at the China Olympics earlier today, missing qualification to the final barrage in a shoot off, with shooters from Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Hungary who achieved the same points as him. The top six qualified, with the sixth place just one point ahead of Chetcuti.

Chetcuti came third in the shoot-off.

The following was the result: Q = Qualified. OR is Olympic Record and SO is Shoot Off.


1. Walton Eller (United States) 145 points Q OR
2. Francesco D'Aniello (Italy) 141 Q
3. Jeffrey Holguin (United States) 140 Q
4. Hu Binyuan (China) 138 Q
5. Richard Faulds (Britain) 137 Q
6. Russell Mark (Australia) 136 Q SO
7. Ahmed Almaktoum (United Arab Emirates) 136 SO
8. William Chetcuti (Malta) 136 SO
9. Roland Gerebics (Hungary) 136 SO
10. Daniele Di Spigno (Italy) 135
11. Hakan Dahlby (Sweden) 135
12. Wang Nan (China) 134
13. Steven Scott (Britain) 134
14. Vasily Mosin (Russia) 131
15. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (India) 131
16. Vitaly Fokeev (Russia) 130
17. Lucas Bennazar Ortiz (Puerto Rico) 123
18. Graeme Ede (New Zealand) 113
19. Giuseppe Di Salvatore (Canada) 109

Meanwhile, Marcon Bezzina lost to Kahina Saidi of Algeria in the judo women's 63kg.

These are Chetcuti's second Olympic Games. Speaking to the press before leaving for China, Mr Chetcuti had said:

"I'll never forget my experience in Athens 2004 and I think I did well on that occasion. Ninth place in the Games is more than just creditable.

"It will be difficult to repeat my performance but my build-up was good and this time I have four more years of experience in the bag. Competition will be tight, as ever. But, there will be no extra pressure to worry me this time even though I know people here will be eagerly awaiting for my result.

"I guess, a place in the Double Trap final will be a great result. If I manage to get into the barrage, then anything can happen."

Education and sport minister Dolores Cristina in a statement congratulated Mr Chetcuti and Ms Bezzina.

She pointed out that Mr Chetcuti just missed making it to the finals after the shoot out but came eighth, one place ahead of his performance at the last Olympics.

Ms Bezza was eliminated after putting up a courageous fight, even if this was not enough to take her to the next phase of the competition, the minister said.