George proves why he is top of the world as he takes his 19th World title and a golden hat-trick in the USA
George Digweed claimed his 19th world title at the World English Sporting Championship in San Antonio.
The annual shoot was held at the National Shooting Complex, San Antonio, at the end of April and saw almost 700 shooters from 13 countries competing in the main event.
After the 300-target main event courses were shot, the World English ended in dramatic fashion with a top six shoot-off in brutal winds that tested the focus and experience of the shooters.
George was on typically sharp form, hitting 95 from his first 100 clays and 97 from the second 100. He finished with a total of 192ex-200, which was enough to qualify him for the Super Final, where the top six shots faced each other. Digweed, who also took the 5-Stand Championship, entered the shoot-off in first place and finished two targets ahead of Runner-Up Brad Kidd, captain of Team USA. Finishing as Lady Champion was Ashleigh Hafley meanwhile our very own Sam Green finished top of the Junior Class.
After his win, George said that it was a great achievement for him and a fantastic continuation of his year so far. He added that he is really pleased with his current form and his wins over the last few months.
The following weekend saw a large UK contingent make its way to the Triple Classic in Texas where once again Digweed was shooting on fine form. He picked up three golds and a silver to complete his stay in the United States in true style.
Shooting in four events: FITASC, 5-Stand, Sporting and the High Overall Classic, George got his weekend off to a great start by shooting 97ex-100 in the FITASC tournament followed by a 98ex-100 in the 5-Stand.
His success in the 5-Stand led to a top six Super Final shoot-off, which he won by finishing four targets ahead of Runner-Up Byron Justice.
No sooner had he finished with the 5-Stand than George was in the stands again as he focused his attention on the FITASC competition. Sadly he couldn’t quite snatch a second gold, instead settling for silver behind Gebben Miles. But it wasn’t long before George was on the top step of the podium again.
He not only won the High Overall Classic, on the final day, with another superior performance, but took a third gold medal with a score of 97ex-100 in the Sporting – this took his overall total to 290ex-300.
A golden hat-trick was within his sights and George didn’t allow anything to distract him as he claimed victory in the Sporting shoot-off to complete an astounding weekend and a fantastic trip across the pond.
He said that he couldn’t be happier with his performance at the Triple Classic. He added that he is always pleased to win a medal at any tournament but he was thrilled to win three golds and a silver alongside shooters of such calibre.
Full results from the Triple Classic can be found at www.iclays.com and from the World Sporting at www.nssa.nsca.org.
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