FORT BENNING, Ga. - Olympic Silver Medalist Maj. Michael E. Anti of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit led the entire international field from the first to the last shot to firmly secure the Gold medal in Men's Three-Position Free rifle at the World Cup in Sydney, Australia April 29. His qualification score of 1,181 points out of a possible 1,200 gave him the lead needed to win the hardware as he maintained his position through the finals.

U.S. Olympic champion Matt Emmons was trailing Slovenian Rajimond Debevec by nearly 10 points, but managed to chase him down and nearly take the Silver Medal. Emmons finished with the Bronze Medal at 1272.7. He had the highest finals score of the medalists, shooting a 101.7 to Debevec's 96.2 (1274.2); Anti shot a 97.1 in the finals. The medal placements bring the U.S. medal count on the 2007 World Cup stage to 11.

The women shooters scored two sixth place finishes in rifle, as Emily Caruso shot for sixth in the Women's Air Rifle and Jamie Beyerle shot for sixth in the Women's Three-Position Sport Rifle. Amanda Furrer, appearing in her second World Cup ever, shot for 26th place in the Sport Rifle event.

Up next at World Cup Sydney is the Women's Sport Pistol event May 1. The World Cup will conclude May 2 with the Men's 50-Meter Free Pistol and 50-Meter Free Rifle Prone events.

Check www.usashooting.org for updates as they become available.

Media Contact:
Najasila Campbell, USA Shooting (719) 866-4896 or http://www.usashooting.com