2013 IPC Shooting World Championships. World record a great birthday present!

New Zealander Michael Johnson took silver and broke a world record in the R4 (mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2) on day two of the 2013 IPC Shooting European Championships in Alicante, Spain.

Johnson who recently turned 40 celebrated his birthday in style with a world record mark of 634.0, which will also be chalked as a new oceania record.

In a highly competitive final which saw two shoot-offs for elimination between Australian Jason Maroney and Brit Richard Davies, team mate Ryan Cockbill and Ukrainian Vladyslav Biletskiy.  Johnson went on to shot 252.7 narrowly missing out on the Gold medal by 0.1.

Gold went to Ukrainian Vasyl Kovalchuk with a score of 257.8, followed by Great Britain's James Bevis collecting European silver*. Slovenian Gorazd Francek Tirsek completes the podium for bronze.

Bev Chamberlain (Paralympic New Zealand, Shooting Programme Director) says, “This is an excellent performance for Mike, not only a silver medal but breaking a World and Oceania record is outstanding.”  She continues, “This is testament to his commitment in such a competitive sport where there is only 0.1 points between gold and silver.”

Michael competes in the 50m R9 event this evening (NZ time).

Results live on www.results.sius.com

Competitions at the 2013 IPC Shooting European Championships run until 25 October and will feature over 170 athletes from more than 30 countries.