Jubilant Madyson sets her sights on Beijing 2008

Rebecca Madyson's silver medal at the Commonwealth Games was the main talking point among Maltese sports enthusiasts yesterday.

On Tuesday, the 26-year-old grabbed the limelight after placing second in the women's Trap competition at the Melbourne Gun Club ranges.

The Australia-based shooter hit scores of 23, 22, 25 and 16 to finish second with an overall tally of 86 clays... six short of gold medal winner, South African Diane Swanton, but three better off than third-placed Susan Nattrass of Canada.

So far, the result is considered as Malta's best ever performance in the Commonwealths. Before the Melbourne Games got underway, Malta had only managed bronze medal success in 1990, through judoka Laurie Pace, and more recently by William Chetcuti in Double Trap four years ago.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Madyson could not hide her delight after putting Malta among the medal winners in Melbourne.

"I'm really over the moon at the moment," said Madyson.

"The emotions I felt during the past 24 hours have been the best of my whole shooting career. Winning my first medal for Malta in my first major competition is simply amazing. That was by far my best result on the international stage.

"This silver medal came after sheer hard work and training. There were some great shooters in the competition and the battle for a place on the podium was very tight. In fact, it was no surprise that the bronze medal was won after a shoot-off between three competitors.

"I started the Games with a double target - winning a medal for Malta and at the same time prove wrong those Australian officials who didn't believe in my qualities and decided to release me.

"I was proud to represent Australia for six years but now I'm equally proud to compete for Malta. Besides having Maltese parents, the MOC and shooting federation offered me a way back into international competition and I'm grateful for that."

Madyson's result takes further significance when one considers that she is now approaching her seventh month of pregnancy and waiting for her second child.

"It was not easy I can assure you," was Madyson's quick reply when asked whether her condition had affected her performance.

"I suffered from back aches but I didn't want that to bother me a lot so I just tried not to think much about it and concentrated on my shooting... the jacket was tight but luckily it worked out well."

Her success in Melbourne has filled Madyson with greater ambitions now and she has already set her sights on the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"My major goal now is to compete in the next Olympics," Madyson commented.

"The Malta Olympic Committee and the shooting federation still have to discuss this possibility but I'm ready to train harder than ever and shoot for Malta in China.

"Since I took up the sport I dreamed of winning a medal in the Olympics.

"The level of competition in China will be higher than the Commonwealths but I have always been a positive person and this silver medal in Melbourne has filled me with great confidence. I know, I have a good chance of fulfilling my dream in 2008."

Over the short term, Madyson has no plans of competition and is obviously looking to spend more time with her family. She already has a three-year-old daughter, Riley.

On Tuesday, Riley was at the ranges along with her father Jamie. Joe Attard, Rebecca's father, is her coach.

Asked whether she is planning to visit Malta in the near future, Madyson said that everything depends on how things will develop after the birth of her second child.

However, she had a message to send to all interested Maltese females who want to try their luck in the sport.

"My message is very simple. If you love shooting don't hesitate to give it a go," Madyson appealed.

"This sport is not just for men. There's no success without hard work but women should be given the same incentives to prove that they are equal to their male counterparts."