Clive Farrugia, 18, capped a fine debut in GSSE competition yesterday after placing third in the skeet competition at the Olympic Shooting Range.

It was a remarkable result for the promising shooter who kept his cool to secure a place on the podium, just ahead of his more experienced team-mate Paul Vella in the overall classification.

Starting the day in third place with a total of 66 clays, Farrugia consolidated his position after firing identical scores of 23 in the final two qualifying rounds to start the barrage on 112, seven behind Kyriacos Christoforou and Antonis Andreou, the two Cypriot shooters who regularly compete in European and World Cup shoots.

Vella, who ended Day One in fifth place, moved up one place following rounds of 22 and 23 to start the final on 107, equal with Iceland's Orn Valdimarsson.

With the prospect of a medal looming large, Farrugia smashed 23 clays in the final to finish with an impressive tally of 135.

Christoforou went on to hit a straight to clinch gold from his compatriot Andreou who had to settle for second place, just one clay behind.

Vella also scored 23 in the barrage to finish fourth on 130, three points ahead of Valdimarsson.

Farrugia could not hide his emotions at the end of the competition as tears rolled down his face.

"This is just unbelievable," he sobbed with joy shortly after the final with his father Joe and grandfather Saviour also in attendance.

"At the end of the qualifying round, I knew I was in a good position for bronze. However, the pressure was huge as nothing was guaranteed yet and I had to perform in the final as well. Luckily I kept hold of my nerves.

"Coming into these Games, I had no expectations to win a medal but today I felt I had a great chance to do it.

"I want to dedicate this medal to my family and my coach who have been so supportive in the past few months."

Saviour Portelli, the Malta Shooting Sport Federation president, said Farrugia's medal vindicated the organisation's huge investment in the youth sector.

"This is a special moment for our federation," he said.

"Clive is one of the young shooters we are nurturing so patiently at Bidnija. He's one to watch in the future.

"I'm pleased that we have added another one to our list as we want to groom other shooters of this level. We've shown what we can do with the budget we have but if the assistance is more generous, we'll produce more talent to keep the upward trend going and maintain our status in the international field."

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