The mixed team skeet will be included for the first time at the Paris 2024 Olympics ©ITG

American pairing Austen Smith and Vincent Hancock have won gold in the mixed skeet at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships here in Baku.

They beat Iryna Malovichko and Mikola Milchev of Ukraine in a compelling final by 43 shots to 42.

"It was amazing this place has felt like home to me, I really enjoy coming here for shooting and thankfully Baku has treated me very well," Hancock said.

"I felt really comfortable but I just wasn't shooting very well in the final today, so I am just really thankful that I had a very good team mate."

Vincent Hancock, left, paid tribute to the shooting of team mate Austen Smith in the mixed team skeet final ©ITG
Vincent Hancock, left, paid tribute to the shooting of team mate Austen Smith in the mixed team skeet final ©ITG

"We train together so it is kind of like shooting at home, I don't really feel much pressure, I am actually excited to shoot with him" Smith revealed.

Their triumph was witnessed by Smith's parents Rod and Debbie who had travelled from Texas for the competition.

It was the third time that Smith and Hancock had won together.

Austen Smith's mother Debbie was on hand to congratulate her daughter and Vincent Hancock after their success ©ITG
Austen Smith's mother Debbie was on hand to congratulate her daughter and Vincent Hancock after their success ©ITG

In the bronze medal match, Amber Rutter and Ben Llewellin of Britain beat Daniella Borda Olaechea and Nicolas Pacheco Espinosa of Peru by 44 shots to 42.

Mixed team skeet has been included on the programme of Paris 2024.