Granada 2024: Gomez Albendea delivers hosts Spain historic title at Para Trap Worlds 

The Granada 2024 WSPS Para Trap World Championships saw hosts Spain, Slovakia and Italy stamp their dominance in the shotgun events, clinching the PT1, PT2 and PT3 individual titles respectively at Las Gabias Shooting Center on Tuesday (4 June). 

The pressure was on Pedro Gomez Albendea of Spain to etch his name in the history books. And he did not falter as he delivered Spain’s first world title in the PT1 - mixed trap seated SG-S in front of a boisterous home crowd. 

Gomez Albendea secured himself a place on the top of the podium, as his 33 saw off a challenge from Germany’s Thomas Hoefs, who scored 27. Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Klimes rounded off the podium on 25. 

“I’m in my country where I’ve been training so much with my coach, my psychologist and all my friends. I think I deserve it,” said Gomez Albendea. 

“I was a bit more nervous because this is my home range. It was one of my biggest goals to win here. I’m very happy to get gold.” 

Gomez Albendea qualified fourth but took full control of the final as the contest moved into its second half. “I didn’t think I’d finish this way, but I saw others getting some fails and I started to go well and kept on going.” 

First world title for Marinov 

The Para Trap World Championships circuit moved to Spain for the first time after two successful meets in Lonato del Garda, Italy. 

And the shooters – a total of 53 from 17 nations – competing at Granada 2024 could not have asked for a more scenic setting with the Sierra Nevada mountains looming behind the shooting range. 

It also proved to be the perfect hunting ground for Slovakia’s Filip Marinov as he bagged his first word title in the PT2 - mixed trap standing SG-L. 

Marinov, who topped the standings in qualifying, ended up scoring 43 ahead of Italy’s Fabrizio Cormons with 40, while Finland’s Vesa Jarvinen had to settle for bronze on 27.

“It’s a great moment. The final was so difficult with the different wind conditions. After a few hits I told myself to focus on every target alone. And that’s what got me the gold medal,” said Marinov. 

Nanni wins tense shoot-off 

Meanwhile, Italy has been churning out impressive talent in the sport ever since it became an approved World Shooting Para Sport discipline in 2017. And Gabriele Nanni certainly fits that billing. 

Nanni, whose career haul so far includes an impressive five individual titles, went shot-for-shot with Spain’s Adrian Becker Castillo in the final round as both shooters ended on 36 points. 

It was Nanni who ultimately kept his composure in a tense shoot-off (2-1) to secure gold in the PT3 - mixed trap standing SG-U. Compatriot Mirko Cafaggi took the bronze with a score of 25. 

“I’m so happy. It was such a hard final but when I hit my last targets, I really started to believe I could win this. I had no doubt about the shoot-off,” said Nanni.

“Now it’s time to celebrate with the team. We’re going to drink a lot of wine that’s for sure. This means everything to me.” 

Italy also won the team event in PT1 ahead of the United Arab Emirates. Only gold and silver were awarded due to the number of teams entered.  

Complete results from the Granada 2024 WSPS Para Trap World Championships are available here.