Australia’s shooters have hit the mark at the International Paralympic Committee Shooting World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, winning silver medals in the individual 50m Air Rifle Prone and SH2 Air Rifle Standing Team events.

The Australians have struggled throughout the tournament to medal in the hotly contested individual events, feeling the pressure from the powerful shooting nations across Europe and Asia.

But the tournament’s earlier frustrations were forgotten over night when Queensland farmer and Paralympian Ashley Adams won silver in the 50m Air Rifle Prone, shooting a total of 689.7. Adams finished 6.5 points behind the winner Sweden’s Jonas Jakobsson.

Adams has endured a particularly frustrating tournament, narrowly missing out on a medal in the R7 50m Free Rifle 3x40, where he finished in fourth place.

In the team event, Beijing Paralympian Jason Maroney and Bradley Mark lead the charge for their silver medal, both shooting 597 in the first relay. Fellow team member Luke Cain shot 595 in the second relay.

After a shoot-out to separate the four athletes deadlocked on 597, Maroney shot 51.4 and Mark 50.1 to secure the silver medal for Australia.

The SH2 Air Rifle Standing Team event is not on the Paralympic program, meaning Australia’s silver medal does not qualify the team for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

By Rebekka Wake