The 44-year old Russian, who won Olympic gold at Athens 2004 and bronze in Beijing four years later, had reached the final set of ten targets with a two-shot lead at the Finnish city's Hälvälä Sport Shooting Center.

But he missed three more shots, with the Portuguese equalling his final total of 43 out of 50 after only missing one more target.

Alipov kept his nerve, however, to register victory, with Azevedo having to settle for silver ahead of Italy’s Mauro De Filippis, who was third.

Germany’s Andreas Loew, who had finished a shot clear of Azevedo at the top of the morning’s qualifying with a total of 119 out of 125, finished fourth.

Competition continues tomorrow in Lahti with the qualifying round and final of the mixed team trap competition.