Olympic shooting hopefuls push for selection

Olympic Trap shooters, Abbey Burton and Ed Ling, have made late bids for inclusion in Britain?s Olympic squad with strong performances at World Cup events in London and Italy.

Burton was left off an Olympic selection shortlist published by British Shooting in March, but claimed the biggest prize of her career so far by taking gold at Lake Garda, Italy.

The 25-year-old shooter, who had never before won a World Cup medal, triumphed after a sudden death tiebreaker with the European champion Fatima Galvez from Spain, hitting two targets while Galvez hit one.

Burton said: ?This was my first senior final, but I was not too stressed. I know Fatima, and I had met her in a shoot-off when we were shooting junior events.?

Women?s trap shooters are fast emerging as one of Team GB?s best hopes of securing an Olympic shooting medal this summer ? Burton will compete with Charlotte Kerwood and Shona Marshall for one available spot.

Team GB?s shooting squad was due to be revealed before the World Cup stage in Italy began, but Shooting Times magazine understands that the announcement has been delayed until 28 May, meaning Burton?s gold performance will now be considered by selectors.

Meanwhile, Somerset shooter Ling finished fourth in the men?s trap at the Olympic test event at the Royal Artillery Barracks and was the only British shooter to qualify for a final over 10 days of competition.

Say what you think in the Shooting UK forums!