Sian Bruce admitted coping with a long journey and record-breaking heat was all worth it after winning gold at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
The 19-year-old ranked first in the qualifying round of the women’s skeet before taking gold in the final, two points ahead of Lingli Kang of China.
All this took place in almost 50 degree heat as Sydney endured its hottest day ever with Bruce admitting that made her win all the more sweeter.
“I am really pleased with the gold medal, that is exactly what I came all this way for,” said Bruce.
“I didn’t shoot amazingly in the final but I am pleased with my overall performance considering the weather – I have never shot in heat anywhere close to that.
“If it hadn’t have been so hot my score would have been better and near the end it was so tough, it was so hot my shotgun cracked which I can’t believe.
“You could feel yourself burning so to actually concentrate on shooting was hard so I am pleased I managed to do that.”
And Bruce is now setting her sights on repeating the trick against her senior rivals.
“This is a great way to start my year and it gives me good confidence heading into some of the World Cups that are coming up next,” she added.
“I really want to make a World Cup final. I have been shooting the seniors for a couple of years now but I want to at least make a final or medal and this is a good start towards that.”
© Sportsbeat 2013