Sharp shooter Ed Ling produced a superb display to win a bronze medal in the men’s trap as he held his nerve to claim Team GB’s third medal of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. After qualifying for the bronze medal via a tense shoot-off against Ahmed Kamar of Eygpt, Ling dominated the throughout against Czech David Kostelecky. With HRH Princess Royal cheering on in the crowd, the 33-year-old from Taunton took an early lead which he held throughout as he hit an exceptional 13 of his 15 shots, with Kostelecky, the Olympic Champion from Beijing 2008, only hitting nine. Ling is already a two-time Olympian after competing at Athens 2004 and London 2012 as well as a world championship silver medallist but his podium finish today at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Deodoro is by far his greatest achievement to date.
The result also makes Ling Team GB first Olympic trap medal since Ian Peel's silver at Sydney 2000.
“I’m really pleased with the outcome,” said Ling
“It’s been a long time coming.
“It was nice to go straight from the shoot-off to the bronze medal match because you stay in the zone and stay focused on what is in front of you.
“I think this is great for shooting. It is also another medal for Team GB which is fantastic and hopefully there is a lot more to come. "We have a great support team behind us thanks to UK Sport and the National Lottery, and I hope that as a shooting team we can pick up more medals for Team GB.
“It was third time lucky for me (after Athens 2004 and London 2012) but shooting is a funny sport where sometimes you can go out there and things can go really well and other times you can't hit a barn door.
“It is a great sport and I really love it.
“My dad and my family are a huge influence on me and I am also delighted for them.
“They will be watching this back home and they will be absolutely thrilled so this is also for them."