Ang posts record in trap shoot;Tong stuns Olympian in skeet

MANILA, Philippines - Olympian Eric Ang won the trap gold medal for a record 10th time but Gabriel Tong stunned London Games veteran Brian Rosario in the skeet event of the shotgun competitions in the Philippine National Shooting Association’s 2012 National Open at the Muntinlupa Shooting Range over the weekend.

The 41-year-old Ang, who finished with an impressive 116 in the qualifying phase, fired only 20 birds in the final round but it was enough to beat rival and fellow Olympian Jethro Dionisio by three, 136-133.

The Beijing Olympics veteran, however, was far from satisfied with his performance in his pet event in the tournament organized by PNSA headed by Harbour Centre president and CEO Mikee Romero.

Ang said he failed to match his national record of 121 in the five-round qualifying stage which he set during the 2008 World Cup in Germany where he finished seventh.

“I need to fine-tune and train much longer,” said the Laoag businessman who will spearhead the country’s bid in the Asian Shotgun Shooting Championship in India this December.

Hagen Topacio edged Carlos Carag in a shootoff to finish third.

“This year’s National Open is the most anticipated event and the biggest since all types of events in pistol, shotgun, rifle and practical shooting were disputed. To the medalists, you are now considered the country’s top three shooters in your respective events,” said Romero, who was assisted by secretary-general Col. Danilo Gamboa and VP Local/International Gay Corral during awards rites at the Manila Yacht Club.

Rosario, meanwhile, faltered in the final round, settling for 19 as against Tong’s 24.

Tong, who trailed Rosario, 114-113, at the end of the qualifying round, finished with 127, four points over Rosario. Alfonso Lim Jr. wound up third with 117.

Other shotgun winners in the event, which drew close to 500 entries, were Ylvana Dy (trap ladies), James Chua Jr. (trap novice division) and Lim (skeet novice division).

Other multiple gold medal winners in the men’s pistol division were Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla, Carolino Gonzales and fast-rising 18-year old Jason Valdez.

Padilla won four gold medals with three coming in individual events in 25m Rapid Fire (550), Center Fire (546) and Standard (541). Gonzales topped the 50m Pistol (536) and 10m Air Pistol (562) while Valdez reigned in the 10-M air rifle (588) and 3-position (1134).

Shanin Lyn Gonzales led the winners in the women’s division with two gold medals in the 25m Pistol (535) and 10-m air Pistol (374) while Inna Therese Gutierrez topped the 50m Rifle Prone (589).

Other winners in the Open were Nonie Alvarez, Randy Paronda and Maria Theresa Clutario. Alvarez emerged as the most bemedalled shooter with four golds, three silvers and one bronze medal. He highlighted his impressive performance with victories in the WA150 Revolver, Senior 48 Rounds Revolver, Senior Production and Senior Open.

Poronda remained unmatched in the Bench Rest (BR) 25-m and BR50-m while Clutario stamped her class in the women’s WA 1500 Pistol and 48 rounds standard.