Malta's most prominent Olympian, William Chetcuti, reckons the eighth placing he achieved in Beijing is no disappointment but a stimulus for his career and better results on the international scene.
Chetcuti, 23, was speaking to The Times on his arrival in Malta back from Beijing yesterday afternoon. Again, he was given a rousing welcome from members of his family, friends and the shooting fraternity from the Maltese federation who showered him with praise following his achievement in the Olympic Games double trap competition which was held on Tuesday.
Chetcuti was a whisker away from a place in the barrage as he missed on a top-six berth in the final following a shoot-off with three other competitors. He was classified eighth overall in a tight contest that also saw Athens 2004 gold medallist Ahmed Almaktoum eliminated before the barrage.
"I was craving for a place in the final but my final position was a satisfactory result considering that I went one better off than four years ago in Athens," he said while showing those at the airport an IOC diploma as recognition of his eighth place in double trap.
"A few days before the competition, I was troubled with a stomach bug but things were going according to plan during the shoot and I was happy with my showing in the opening rounds.
"Then, I missed three successive clays and I knew that was going to cost me dear in the end. Pity, I could have easily been in the final but that's how things go... this is sport and now we have to look ahead for the future."
Chetcuti is not planning to take a break after the Olympics. Instead, he is already focusing on his next competition.
"This was a hectic period for us. The Olympics are a unique experience but the European Commonwealths are up next and we have to get prepared for that too," he said.
"Before Beijing I lacked consistency perhaps but this week I've shown that I am back in form. We hoped for a better outcome but the result still fills me with confidence. I know, there's room for more improvement so we have to see that the upward trend is maintained."
Jimmy Bugeja, Chetcuti's reliable right-hand man and coach, saw huge progress in the Mellieħa shooter's performance in Beijing.
"I've been following William's progress ever since he was a young lad at Bidnija. Going back four years and making a comparison between Athens and Beijing, I think William has made a great leap in quality," Bugeja said.
"He looks more composed these days and in my opinion it was only a matter of bad luck that he did not qualify to the finals in Beijing. He's still young and ready to continue with his sport. You have to be patient to mould a champion but the indications are encouraging. William has a bright future."
Among those greeting Chetcuti yesterday was Malta Shooting Sport Federation president Saviour Portelli. He felt honoured to have Chetcuti within his organisation's fold and said the result was a prestigious one for the federation.
"The pressure was on William and everyone wanted him to win a medal but we are satisfied with what he managed to achieve in Beijing. No other Maltese athlete has placed so high before in the Olympics," Portelli said.
"We will continue to do our part to see that Chetcuti gets the adequate training and assistance for his future commitments. But, we cannot do it alone.
"I urge all sporting authorities in the country to continue helping us in this matter. Chetcuti is a talented shooter and we cannot abandon him now that he is so close to the top."