Almaktoum Ahmed of the United Arab Emirates qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics after winning the gold in the men's Double Trap event in the ongoing ISSF World Cup for shotgun, at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi on Monday.

While Ahmed took the gold with 187 points, Vella Adam of Australia won the silver with 186 points and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (185 points) of India had to be content with the bronze.

In an unique feat at the World Cup, six shooters were tied on 141 points after the stipulated three rounds of shooting. The National Rifle Association of India, the organisors of the tournament, then held another round of 50 shots apiece to determine the medal winners.

It was in that final round that Ahmed took gold and booked his berth to the 2004 Olympics.

However, it continued to be a tough fight for the bronze medal with India's Rathore and Dispigno Daniele of Italy again tying for the third spot with 44 hits each.

The third-place competition that went in to a tie-break, saw Rathore hold his nerves and emerge winner by the narrowest of margins at 11-10.

However, none of the marksmen managed to get close to the world record of 147.

Earlier, in the preliminary round, six out of the 42 participants scored an identical 141 points to qualify for the finals.

"It was my home reach. I was at an advantage and also I was under pressure. Obviously I am disappointed," said a dejected Rathore, after the final at the warm and windy Tughlakabad Range.

Moraad Ali Khan and Gaurav Sondhi, the other Indian contenders in the double trap team, finished much lower. Moraad tallied 129 and Sondhi 123. India finished third in the overall team standings after Australia and Italy.

"But I was satisfied with my performance. And I know tomorrow is going to be another day," Rathore signed off.

A Commonwealth Games double gold medallist, Rathore had hinted about the turn of events as he shot a rare 50 -- a perfect round -- in the World championship at Lahti but eventually missed the final by one point.

Rathore has already showed his guile when he beat the likes of Olympic champion Richard Faulds, silver medallist Russell Mark, apart from two-time Olympic trap champion and former World double trap champion Michael Diamond at Bisley during the Commonwealth Games.

Richard Faulds, Russell Mark and Michael Diamond, along with a few others, have already completed the Olympic quota for the Athens Games.

The trap and skeet events of the World Cup are scheduled for March 20 and 21.

UNI