Nathan Lee Xuereb is the new European junior champion in Double Trap after winning the competition which was held in Suhl, Germany, yesterday.

Xuereb had very encouraging scores of 29, 30 (straight), 27, 27 and 28 in his opening five rounds to qualify first for the semi-finals with 141 hits from a possible 150, equalling the Double Trap record according to 2013 ISSF regulations for the category.

Xuereb, under the charge of coach Jimmy Bugeja, maintained composure in the first shoot-off, managing 29 points to book a place in the gold medal match against Russian Kirill Fokeev.

In the final, both Xuereb and Fokeev hit 27 to force a shoot-off. Here, Xuereb smashed all four pairs to beat Fokeev and claim the European title for juniors.

Roman Zagumennov, also of Russia, won the shoot-off for the bronze medal following scores of 135 for the first five rounds and 26 and 30 in the finals.

William Chetcuti also took part in the Europeans, yesterday.

The Mediterranean Games cham-pion had scores of 27-30, 28-30, 26-30, 28-30 and 29-30 for 138/150.

He could only place 10th in the Double Trap competition for senior shooters and unable to make further progress.

In a short statement, the Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) said Xuereb’s result was an outstanding achievement for the youngster.

“This is another feather in the cap for young Nathan Lee Xuereb,” the MSSF said while thanking all those who con-tributed in making it possible for the Maltese shooters to take part in the Suhl Europeans.

The MSSF will be hosting the fourth international Double Trap Grand Prix at its premises in Bidnija on August 15.

This will be followed by the Trap Grand Prix, also at Bidnija, on August 17 and 18.