Italy secured the gold medal in the mixed team skeet event at the World University Championships in Taipei, finishing with a dominant total of 49 out of 56 targets in the final. Giada Longhi, a shooter from Longone Sabino representing the Fiamme Oro and studying motor sciences at Pegaso University, and Francesco Bernardini defended their international title after previously taking gold at the 2024 tournament in New Delhi.

Qualifications Dominated on Taipei Ranges

The Italian pair set the pace early on the Taipei shooting ranges. Longhi and Bernardini topped the qualification round with a score of 143 out of 150 targets, establishing a clear path into the final. That performance gave them the momentum needed to control the medal round from the opening stations.

In the final match, the Italian duo extended their margin over the rest of the field to finish at 49/56. Sotiroulla Christou and Markos Kontopoulos of Cyprus claimed the silver medal with a score of 44/56, while the host nation representatives Yun-Jia Song and Han-Tsun Wang took bronze with 37/48. For the sportswoman from Longone Sabino, this marks another prominent international achievement that confirms the value of her work and her ability to compete at the highest levels.

Teammates Echo Praise for Shared Partnership

Reflecting on their successful title defense, Longhi pointed to the strong bond between her and her shooting partner. “Francesco and I really wanted to confirm ourselves as champions,” Longhi said. “The understanding that exists between us, both on and off the shooting station, supports us and gives us that extra gear that is fundamental in the pairs competition.”

Bernardini also credited mutual reliance as a key factor in navigating pressure during the tournament. “We can count on each other’s support, and when one of the two is in difficulty, the other intervenes to support,” Bernardini stated. “Returning to the highest step of the podium together after two years will be truly beautiful and we want to thank FITAV and FederCusi for giving us this possibility.” They thanked National Coach Pierluigi Pescosolido alongside their team members, noting that without everyone’s contribution they would not have made it.

Azzurri Standings in Trap and Individual Skeet

While the mixed team skeet competition concluded, the trap events opened with the first day of qualifications. In the men’s provisional trap standings, Spain’s Daniel Fernandez De Vicente led the field with 71 out of 75 targets. Hao-Jyun Chuang of Taipei followed alongside Luca Gerri. Additional Italian competitors Francesco Di Mari and Lorenzo Felici closed their opening series with 64/75 and 60/75 respectively.

In the women’s provisional trap standings, Italian competitors established a strong presence at the top of the leaderboard. Gaia Ragazzini held first place with 68/75, followed by Elena Navelli in second with 66/75 and Valentina Panza in third with 65/75.

Earlier in the individual schedule, Longhi secured a silver medal in the women’s individual skeet event in Taipei after topping the qualification round with 115/125. In that final, she finished behind compatriot Arianna Nember, who captured the individual world university title. Meanwhile, Nember and partner Gioele Carletti placed sixth in the mixed team qualification with a score of 133/150.