Xuereb wins Malta International Grand Prix
Nathan Lee Xuereb being congratulated by William Chetcuti. Photo: Jason Borg
Nathan Lee Xuereb stole the headlines in the 2012 International Double Trap Grand Prix in Bidnija after the 15-year-old hit an extraordinary straight in the final barrage to win the title yesterday.
It was an impressive performance from the upcoming shooter who managed to outpoint world class opponents in the shape of Italy's Daniele Di Spigno and Hakan Dahlby, of Sweden.
William Chetcuti, the 2011 winner, had to settle with fourth place after a below-par display in the final barrage.
The Grand Prix turned out to be a thrilling affair with Xuereb, Chetcuti and Di Spigno sharing top spot at the end of the preliminary round after finishing with 144 points from 150, just one ahead of fourth-placed Dahlby.
However, in the final barrage Xuereb and Di Spigno showed great mental strenght as they hit all targets with only ten clays left.
Here, Di Spigno committed a crucial miss that paved the way for Xuereb to close in on victory as the Maltese shooter went on to hit all the remaining 10 clays to complete a fine straight to finish top on 194, just one ahead of Di Spigno.
Dahlby placed third on 190 just one better than Chetcuti.
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Y Sammut
May 11th 2012, 14:36
Well Done Nathan :)
You made us Maltese proud, and cannot imagine how much prouder you made your family :)
Good luck xxxxx
Giovanni Rizzo
Apr 30th 2012, 05:34
Good show boys and all the organisers.
Mr Edwin Vella
Apr 30th 2012, 12:11
Thanks John. I am proud to be part of the organizing committe. We showed that we can organize an International Event of such a calibre.
Vanessa Xuereb
Apr 29th 2012, 22:41
Well done Nathan!!! We're all so proud of you :-)
tony sammut
Apr 29th 2012, 21:03
The Maltese public in general need to appreciate more the extraordinary duo (+their coach) that Malta has with William and Nathan. Italy has hundreds to choose from and in Malta we have just these two- and what a pair is that. H
To the authorities -Shift Nathan to professionalism ASAP. In the meantime, all behind William for the London olympics. Nathan will have time to go to the Olympics, he has still another 3 years in the junior category.
Eric Camilleri (Q)
Apr 29th 2012, 20:28
Prosit. Excellent results.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 29th 2012, 18:39
Well done to both Maltese shooters.
mario salnitro
Apr 29th 2012, 18:20
Well done lad you made all us hunters proud!!!!!
Mario Tabone
Apr 29th 2012, 19:40
@ Mario Salnitro
Correction my friend......He has made ALL Maltese proud and proved that shooting as a hobby gets much more appreciation from every Maltese when it is directed at clays and not wildlife protected or not !!!!!
Again well done.
michael scicluna
Apr 29th 2012, 20:40
all clay pigieon shooters are hunters and sons of
Mario Tabone
Apr 29th 2012, 21:27
@ Michael Scicluna
And your point is ?
My point is that SHOOTING should be the hobby and not KILLING birds !!
These two young men provide evidence that one can acheive a lot in the sport and if our so called hunters could do the same we might have some world class athletes , a countryside for everybody to enjoy and harmony amongst the population together with serious clubs which provide a good pastime all the year round .
Joseph N. Attard
Apr 29th 2012, 21:52
@ michael scicluna. Maybe. But unlike others', their achievements are lauded by all.
Claude Carbonaro
Apr 30th 2012, 12:43
@Mario scicluna..
I totally disagree with you. I recently started shooting clay pigeons and from a clan of over 50 people in my family, not one is a hunter. Just to be clear, I don't support hunting 100%, but I really enjoy going to the range and shoot at a couple of clays. It's an interesting sport and I encourage more men and women to try it out..
To keep to the subject of this article, I was at the competition yesterday in Bidnija and would like to congratulate Nathan on this success. For his age, it was impressive to see him keeping his composure and going for the straight in the final barrage. I would also like to say a big well done to the ISSF and all involved in the preparation for yesterday's event. In my opinion, it was a huge success.
Also, a well done and big good luck to William for the Olympics..
mario salnitro
Apr 30th 2012, 12:50
Reply to Mr Mario Tabone.
Son of a hunter and always a hunter most of us shoot clay's during the closed season, but we will always hunt birds during the open season like this spring.
Well done again lad you made us hunters proud .
Tony Borg
Apr 29th 2012, 17:45
Fantastic young guy....this guy should go to the olympics
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