KImberly Rhode is well placed to challenge for the women's skeet title at the ISSF Shotgun World Championships after the opening day of qualifying today in Italy ©Getty Images

Kim Rhode of the United States, who had to settle for the silver medal in the mixed skeet event at the International Shooting Sport Federation Shotgun World Championship in Italy on Sunday (July 7), is challenging strongly for gold in the women’s skeet after finishing second on the first day of qualifying.

After three rounds, the three-time Olympic gold medallist has a total of 73 hits, just one less than the leader, fellow American Dania Vizzi, with two more rounds due  to come tomorrow at the Lonata Del Garda range before the final.

Romania’s Roxana-Sofia Miklos is third, also on 73 hits, with a third American, Samantha Simonton, fourth and topping four others on 72.

The 39-year-old Rhode is seeking to regain a title she last won at Munich in 2010.

Since then Rhode has won a bronze at Belgrade in 2011 and silver in Changwon last year. 

Among those four others is home shooter Diana Bacosi, who partnered fellow Olympic champion Gabriele Rossetti to mixed skeet gold medal.

The first three rounds of the skeet men junior event also took place today, and Daniel Korcak of the Czech Republic leads with 73 hits, one more than Petros Englezoudis of Cyprus, who is himself one ahead of five rivals.