MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 24 January 2012
 
Leading Australian pistol shooter Dina Aspandiyarova has opened her 2012 campaign by leading an Australian trifecta overnight at the Meyton Cup in Innsbruck, Austria.

Aspandiyarova, who later this year will more than likely compete at her third Olympic Games, won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol ahead of team mates Lalita Yauhleuskaya and Emily Esposito.

Aspandiyarova, who is currently ranked number 13 in the world, enjoyed a consistent 2011 which saw her win an Olympic quota for Australia in the discipline, as well as feature in several international finals.

The 35-year-old recorded a 382 from 400 overnight to lead Yauhleuskaya by one into the final, while 18-year-old Esposito was two points further back.

Aspandiyarova shot 98.4 in her ten attempts in the final to record an overall score of 480.4, leaving Yauhleuskaya (478.6) and Esposito (478.1) to claim the silver and bronze medals.

Aspandiyarova finished 6^th in the women’s 10m air pistol at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, while she recorded a 36^th place finish in the same event in Beijing four years ago.

Australia secured two Olympic Games quotas in the women’s 10m air pistol during the qualifying period, while it secured a further quota in the women’s 25m sport pistol.

Pistol athletes will be nominated to the Australian Olympic Committee following the conclusion of the World Cup events in Germany and Italy in May.

Media Contact: David Polglase 0401 453 041