Australia has named a team of 16 for the 2011 ISSF World Shotgun Championships as the chase for Olympic Games quota places continues.
 
The Australian team features six Olympians, with Michael Diamond (QLD), Russell Mark (VIC) and Suzy Balogh (NSW) all having won gold medals at Olympic level.
 
Dual Olympic Games gold medallist Diamond will headline the team that boards that plane to Belgrade, Serbia to compete from September 5-13.
 
Diamond, who recently won a quota place for Australia for next year’s Olympics, will be joined in the men’s trap team by Australia Cup 3 winner and 2004 Athens Olympic Games bronze medallist Adam Vella (VIC).
 
Five-time Olympian and 1996 Atlanta gold medallist Russell Mark was named in the men’s double trap team with two-time Olympian Steve Haberman (VIC) and Nicholas Kirley (VIC).
 
2004 Athens Olympic Games gold medallist Suzy Balogh (NSW) will compete in the women’s trap alongside Laetisha Scanlan (VIC) and Catherine Skinner (VIC).
 
The women’s skeet team features Lauryn Mark (VIC) and Laura Coles (WA), while Anthony Sottosanti (VIC) will shoot in the men’s skeet.
 
Australian International Shooting Limited CEO Nick Sullivan says the world championships holds even more significance in 2011.
 
“This will be the second last opportunity for our shotgun team to qualify Olympic quota places for London next year,” Sullivan said. “We have already picked up one quota in the women’s skeet and men’s trap, but the World Championships present a great chance to secure some more.
 
“We have many shooters in our team who are capable of winning events and medals at international level and I am confident we will put in a strong showing in Serbia.”
 
The final chance for Australia to qualify quota places for the 2012 London Olympic Games will come at the 2011 Oceania Championships at the Sydney International Shooting Centre (November 26-December 1).
 
 
Australian Shooting Team for 2011 ISSF World Shotgun Championships:
 
Men’s Trap: Michael Diamond (Gold Coast, QLD), Adam Vella (Keilor, VIC)
 
Women’s Trap: Suzy Balogh (Green Valley, NSW), Laetisha Scanlan (Berwick, VIC), Catherine Skinner (Mansfield, VIC)
 
Women’s Skeet: Lauryn Mark (Hoppers Crossing, VIC), Laura Coles (Hocking, WA)
 
Men’s Double Trap: Russell Mark (Hoppers Crossing, VIC), Nicholas Kirley (Mansfield, VIC), Steve Haberman (St. Albans Park, VIC)
 
Men’s Skeet: Anthony Sottosanti (Pakenham, VIC)
 
Junior Men’s Trap: Michael McNabb (Castle Cove, NSW), Russell McCloy (Newcastle, NSW), Josh Collard (Port Melbourne, VIC)
 
Junior Women’s Trap: Kelly Coogan (Darwin, NT), Teegan McCloy (Old Bar, NSW)

Australian International Shooting Ltd.