Team Malta enjoyed a memorable double in double trap shooting as Matthew Grech took the gold medal ahead of team-mate William Chetcuti at the Ta’ Kandja Shooting Rangers.
For Team Malta this was a record 13th gold medal in the Games so far, and further rubberstamped the country’s dominance in the discipline at the GSSE as it is the third time in the last 22 years that Malta won the gold and silver in this discipline.
In fact, Philip Busuttil and Chetcuti had taken the top two placings in San Marino 2001, before Gianluca Chetcuti and William Chetcuti took gold and silver in Montenegro four years ago.
There was never any doubt on Matthew Grech’s victory in yesterday’s event as he was on top right from the first round of the competition.
In fact, Grech compiled scores of 26, 29, 29, and 26 to finish as the outright winner with 110 points.
Chetcuti finished second on 102 while Luxembour shooter Lydon Sosa was a distant third on 82 points.
“I am really happy to have managed to win this gold medal,” an emotional Grech told the Times of Malta.
“I trained very hard for this competition and I am pleased that all the work I put in has paid off. I remain fully focused right from the first round and continued to perform consistently and that was key to holding a good advantage.
“In shooting, being strong mentally is fundamental as a lapse in concentration can easily cost you a medal. But today, I felt very calm and strong and I finished the job.
“This success is surely a huge boost for me as it will inject a lot of confidence to train harder so that I can achieve success in more prestigious competitions.”
On his part, Chetcuti heaped praise on his team-mate Grech for his victory and said that although he wanted to win gold, but the most important thing was that the title remained on Maltese shores.
“I would be lying if I said that I didn’t aspire to win gold,” Chetcuti said.
“But I am still pleased to win the silver medal and for me personally it was key that the title was won by a Maltese shooter. I am here to represent my country and the priority remains that Maltese flag would be at the top of the podium.
“Matthew today had a great performance and fully deserved his win. We are good friends and I am really happy for him.
“This medal is still a good result and will fill me with confidence for the future as it shows that I am still capable of challenging for medals after all these years.
“I am always keen to work hard and improve and my goal remains that to achieve better results in bigger international competition.”
