Italian triumph in mixed team Skeet

The Italian pair Bacosi-Rossetti claims victory in the mixed team Skeet, defeating the team of the great Hancock and his fellow countrywoman, student Smith. All the rifles used in the competition were Beretta.

Women decide. While Smith’s mistakes “affected” the USA team’s performance, Diana Bacosi, who was underwhelming in the individual competition, was outstanding this time, shooting better than ever. The competition saw China take third place after a head-to-head battle with India.

For Diana, the emotion is palpable: “Three participations in such a prestigious event, three consecutive victories... I’ve made history in world shooting! Winning with Gabriele was a unique emotion and it was much needed since the individual competition didn’t go well: I had a fever, and something probably brought me down a bit. But slowly I recovered, and today the victory arrived.”

“I owe this success not only to those who have looked down on me – Gabriele comments, referring to his father, who passed away in 2018 – but also primarily to myself, my mom, and my girlfriend, to my fans, and everyone who supports me every day. Of course, my first thought was of my dad, that’s inevitable. I think it was all written in advance; I gave my all in the individual, started poorly with a 22 but it simply wasn’t meant to be. My destiny was to be in the mixed team with Diana, and it’s a truly wonderful achievement; I am happy and proud.”

Diana Bacosi first competed in the European Shooting Championships in 2004, earning second place in the mixed team Skeet. She continued to compete in the European Championships, winning twice consecutively (2005, 2007), and later finishing second (2008). After a five-year hiatus from competitive shooting, she participated in the 2013 European Championships in Germany and then the World Championships in Peru, winning mixed team Skeet in both competitions. Trained by Andrea Benelli, she won the women’s Skeet at the most prestigious sporting event in 2016. From 2018 onward, her career has been marked by further notable successes.

Gabriele Rossetti was introduced to shooting by his father Bruno. In 2014, at the age of 19, Gabriele won both the European Championship in Sarlospuszta and the World Championship in Granada in the Junior category. In 2015, he reaffirmed himself as European champion in Maribor and, despite his young age, was exceptionally promoted from the Junior to the Senior category and selected for the World Championship in Lonato, where he took third place. He concluded the season by finishing first at the World Cup Final, defeating American Vincent Hancock. In 2017, he confirmed his position at the top of the sport by winning the World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Vincent Hancock, hosting the event, commented on the result of this final and the second-place finish: “It’s fantastic, everything we’ve worked so hard for. Even though it’s not the most precious metal, being here and securing another success was really wonderful. Winning again with Austen is fantastic; he fought really hard today, as did I. That’s what sports are about!”

President Franco Gussalli Beretta celebrated the champions: “Congratulations to our extraordinary Beretta Team athletes! Their dedication and precision reflect the founding values of our company. We are proud to support them with cutting-edge equipment that helps them excel in the most prestigious competitions. Their success is a testament to our constant commitment to providing high-quality products.”

CEO and General Director Carlo Ferlito commented on the extraordinary shooting campaign: “Congratulations to our outstanding athletes for reaching the pinnacle. In shooting, every shot counts and dedication is crucial, just like in our company. Teamwork and constant commitment are the foundation of our success, just as in sports. Every day we dedicate ourselves with great passion to finding those tools that can benefit this noble discipline: in this, technological innovation continues to be our guiding star. This triumph helps to enhance Italy’s image worldwide, showcasing the growth potential that sports can bring to our country.”

Daniele Piva, Vice President Commercial Market Business of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta, also expressed his enthusiasm: “A big round of applause to our athletes for this achievement, with a special applause to the Italian team. Their success is also a result of the deep study we dedicate to the making of our rifles’ barrels, specifically designed to help shooters break the clay targets with maximum efficiency. Thanks to this commitment to Steelium Pro technology, combined with ongoing technological research and new materials for the construction of our rifles, we are able to provide firearms that offer unparalleled performance, keeping our company at the forefront of the industry.”