Colorado Springs, CO -(AmmoLand.com)- The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting rolls on into the second World Cup of the season beginning Tuesday in Bangkok, Thailand, on the same ranges that just hosted the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup.
More than 100 athletes from nearly 30 countries will compete with the United States being represented by four rifle athletes and a pistol athlete at this match. McKenna Dahl (Arlington, Washington) and Jazmin Almlie-Ryan (Houston, Texas) already got their year started in January by attending the IPC World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Dahl is off to a great start having advanced to the R5 Prone Rifle Final to finish fifth overall in her first time reaching the final in this event. She also finished 15th in R4 (10m Air Rifle Standing SH2). Almlie-Ryan struggled through some equipment issues she’s now resolved and finished 12th (R4) and 19th (R5). Almlie-Ryan was previously the gold-medal winner in R5 in the final World Cup of 2015.
The other three USA Shooting Team members will make their 2016 debut including rifle members Tammy Delano (Rome, New York) and John Joss (U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit/Corsicana, Texas) along with pistol teammate Michael Tagliapietra. In Delano’s last World Cup she finished with a bronze medal in the R2 (Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1) event and earning a Paralympic quota with an 18th-place finish in the R3 (Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1) event.
Asked specifically what she’s working on as she eyes a potential Rio Paralympic Team spot, Delano had this to say.
“I am always working on things to improve my performance. There are always changes to be made to equipment, position and mental process. The tiniest of changes can make big differences. I’m working hard on figuring out those changes in order to have a more consistent shot process. I’ve always been working on the mental aspect of the sport by figuring out what helps me to stay focus and relaxed. Physical fitness, endurance and proper nutrition are also important aspects that continue to be part of my training plan.”
Joss earned a silver member and Paralympic quota spot in September 2015 during an IPC stop in Sydney, Australia, competing in his marquee event – R6 (Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1). Tagliapietra has been the USA Shooting Team’s top Paralympic performer over the past two years highlighted by five top-seven World Cup finishes last year including gold in his signature event of P3 (25m Pistol SH1) in Sydney.
IPC World Cup Bangkok Schedule:
Tuesday, March 15 – R3 (10m Prone Rifle SH2); R4 (10m Air Rifle Standing SH2); P3 (25m Sport Pistol)
Wednesday, March 16 – P1 (10m Air Pistol); R1 (10m Air Rifle Standing SH1); P5 (10m Air Pistol Standard); R8 (50m 3×20 Three-Position Rifle SH1)
Thursday, March 17 – P2 (10m Air Pistol); R2 (10m Air Rifle Standing SH1); R7 (50m 3×40 Three-Position Rifle SH1)
Friday, March 18 – P4 (50m Free Pistol); R5 (10m Air Rifle Prone SH2), R6 (50m Prone Rifle SH1)
Live results will be available at the IPC Shooting’s website.
About ELEY:
ELEY is a Proud Sponsor of the USA Shooting Rifle and Pistol Teams: ELEY Limited, manufacturer of the world’s most consistently accurate rimfire ammunition, has been the Official Sponsor and Official Supplier of .22 rimfire ammunition of the USA Shooting rifle and pistol teams since 2000.
For more information on ELEY and their products, please visit www.eley.co.uk.
About USA Shooting:
USA Shooting, a 501c3 non-profit corporation, was chartered by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of shooting in April 1995. USA Shooting’s mission is to prepare American athletes to win Olympic medals, promote the shooting sports throughout the U.S. and govern the conduct of international shooting in the country.
Check us out on the web at usashooting.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/USAShooting.