Scott praises coach after Rio bronze
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The Battle shooter, who is coached by Ahmed Al Maktoum, claimed the bronze medal in the men's double trap competition in Rio.
Scott said: "I was self-taught for the best part of 11 years and after watching Peter (Wilson) win (at London 2012) and seeing him go from an average shooter to an Olympic gold medallist in the space of two years, this was because he was being coached by Al Maktoum (Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Hasher Al Maktoum).
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Hide Ad“I was a little bit cheeky after London and said to Peter that if he was considering retiring, would he ask Al Maktoum to consider coaching me. He knew about me and my performances, and (his coaching) has been without doubt one of the biggest things towards this medal.”
Scott produced a flawless display to defeat fellow Team GB marksman Tim Kneale in the bronze medal match.
Despite the pressure of the occasion, Scott held his nerve to hit a perfect 30/30. Kneale missed two targets to finish with 28/30.
“It made me a little bit more relaxed knowing that I’m shooting off with my team-mate," Scott added.
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Hide Ad“Both of us put a tremendous amount of effort and hard work in just to get here, let alone to make a final and shoot for a medal.
“It’s a very emotional time for me. There is a little part of me that wanted him to win as well because we worked so hard together.
“I think the expectation coming into the event was to medal, but personally I just wanted to make the final and give myself a good chance. I know I’ve got the ability to win."
Immediately before the bronze medal match, the British duo had finished in a three-way tie for third in the six-man semi-final with Australian shooter James Willett.
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Hide AdAll three men hit 26/30 so a sudden death shoot-off was needed to determine which two shooters would advance to contest the bronze medal match. Scott and Kneale hit both of their targets, whereas Willett missed one of his.
All of the six semi-finalists had come through the qualification stage earlier in the day. Scott was fourth in that part of the competition with a total of 138/150.
Scott’s medal kick-started a sensational afternoon for Team GB with judoka Sally Conway also winning bronze, Joe Clarke winning canoe slalom gold, and Jack Laugher and Chris Mears diving gold.
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