Penny Smith sets world record at trap shooting World Cup in Kazakhstan

Australian shooter Penny Smith has broken a trap world record with her perfect performance in a World Cup final in Kazakhstan.

The Paris Olympics bronze medallist scored 30 out of 30 to win the women’s trap World Cup round in Almaty.

The 31-year-old from Geelong thrived in the new finals format, which is faster paced and has fewer targets. 

She said the world record was “a very special moment”.

“Shooting the new final format for the first time was a great experience,” she said.

“I knew I just had to stay in my lane and focus on each target. To come away with a World Cup win and a world record really topped it off.

“Once I knew I’d won, I just wanted to hold it together and see if I could run [hit] the remaining targets. I wasn’t focused on the world record — just on staying in the moment.

“[The new finals format] is certainly a sprint. You can’t afford a slow start.”

Smith said winning bronze in the women’s trap at Paris remained her career highlight.

“I don’t think anything could really top my Olympic medal, but this is certainly right up there,” she said.

Fellow two-time Olympian Laetisha Scanlan also made the final, finishing fourth, while Stephanie Pile was 39th.

James Willett shot a near-perfect 124 out of 125 in qualification for the men’s trap and finished fifth in the final.

Mitch Iles was ninth to just miss a place in the eight-man final, while Thomas Grice (19th), Gabe Sensi (27th) and Jamie Dunn (66th) also competed.

Smith combined with Iles to finish 15th in the trap mixed teams event. Scanlan and Grice were 13th.

AAP