WDSC 2016: Russia and Ukraine dominate podium

Russian and Ukrainian shooters shared podium spots in the women’s 25m sport pistol event at the World Deaf Shooting Championships in Kazan. The fourth competition day concluded at the Dynamo Sports Complex in Mirny Township.

In the women’s 25m sport pistol final, Valeria KLADOVNIKOVA (RUS), who was number one after the semifinal, dropped the leadership at the last moment. In the gold medal match, she faced Anastasiia LAZEBNYK (UKR) who proved to be stronger than the Russian shooter, 8-6. Up until the 20th round, Valeria was confidently leading but her opponent managed to even up scores and to beat the host in the additional round. The bronze medal match saw a tough fight between two Russian shooters: Olga MISHOCHENKO and Evdokia KATORGINA, who had earlier won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event. MISHOCHENKO managed to beat her fellow member of the team, 7-5.

“Of course, I’m upset,” Katorgina admitted. “I wanted to win badly; I was aiming for gold. I failed in the semifinal and had to go for bronze, for which I had no strength and stamina left. I performed at the end of tether. Yes, I do have gold that I won in Kazan but as the national team leader I must do well at all events, lead the girls, set them an example. But it looks like the time has come for new generation." According to the shooter, home walls helped her a lot. “I felt my family’s, friends’ and fans’ support. What unsettled me is new rules – we were not ready for them, I’m used to old standards,” she said.

Olga Mishochenko could not suppress her joy at winning bronze: “Yes! I did it! It was not in vain: training, preparation, sleepless nights. Thanks to all.” When asked about the competition within the national team, Mishochenko replied: “We have a friendly team; we always help and support each other. It’s true that we had little quota for the Deaflympics but only perseverance and hard work enabled me to get there.” “Obviously, I’m disappointed. I was leading 6-2 and I lost. Apparently, weariness, stress and old injury told on my performance,” Kladovnikova explained.

The Ukrainian shooter was overwhelmed with emotion and was hugging everyone she saw on her way. “It’s true that at first I was not succeeding in the medal match but later I pulled myself together, demonstrated willpower and won. I’m happy so much. Such things happen; there's no need to keep eyes on a scoreboard. I knew I could win,” Anastasiia Lazebnyk stressed. “It’s my first victory at a major tournament but no one can stop me know: I’m aiming for Deaflympic gold.” Speaking of the level of event management in Kazan, Anastasiia mentioned that more international deaf shooting competitions need to be held, all the more so if they will be staged to the same high standard as in Kazan.

“All in all, I can say that you have a good city, a good republic. I liked everything, but most of all I was impressed by the Qul-Sharif Mosque. We don’t have such big and beautiful mosques. But I didn’t have much time to do sights; the tournament is underway, I was training. When I didn’t compete, I attended my teammates’ events, watched, rooted for them, supported. If I have another chance to visit Kazan, I will definitely do some sights and see what I missed. Be prepared,” the champion summed up.