Dual Olympic Games gold medallist Michael Diamond (NSW) has won the silver medal in the men’s trap at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia.

Diamond had tied with eventual winner Jesus Serrano (Spain) after the final on a combined score of 146 targets, and despite the Spaniard winning the shoot-off for gold, Diamond won an all important 2012 London Olympic Games quota place for Australia.

The Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Champion had earlier shot rounds of 25, 25, 25, 23 and 25 for a total of 123 targets from 125 to qualify for the final.

Diamond was locked with four other shooters on 123 heading into the 25 shot single-barrel final, one target behind leader Serrano.

The final turned into a dual between Diamond and Serrano as they established a gap between themselves and the other shooters.

Serrano held a two target lead with seven shots remaining but missed three, while Diamond missed one, sending it to a shoot-off for gold.

Diamond missed his third shot but there was still jubilation in the Australian camp for the outstanding performance.

Diamond’s silver medal was a continuation of a solid run of form that had seen Australia’s most decorated shooter reach two of the previous three World Cup Finals in 2011, whilst missing the other one after a shoot-off.

2004 Athens Olympic Games bronze medallist Adam Vella (VIC) finished on a score of 120 after shooting rounds of 24, 24, 25, 22 and 25, while Russell McCloy (NSW) also shot a combined score of 120. Michael McNabb (NSW) recorded a total of 112.

Despite winning the quota place for Australia, Diamond is not guaranteed the spot for Australia at next year’s Olympic Games.

Nominations to the Australian Olympic Committee for selection on the Australian team for the 2012 London Olympic Games will be based on current Australian rankings and past performances.

Diamond is currently ranked number one in Australia, with Vella in second position.

Australia can still qualify one more quota place in the men’s trap at either the 2011 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia (September 5-13) or the 2011 Oceania Championships in Sydney (November 26-December 1).

Australian Shooting