Aaron Heading won Olympic Trap silver at the European Championships in Lonato on Saturday 7th September.
The result means the 32-year-old shooter from Lincolnshire has also won a Tokyo 2020 quota place for Team GB.
It was one of just two chances Heading had left to secure a place, and he held his nerve magnificently against some of Europe’s best shooters. His final score of 44 was enough to see off Italy’s Mauro De Filippis who had to settle for bronze.
It was Croatia’s Jiri Liptak who eventually came out on top with a score of 46 to secure gold, but that won’t matter to Heading, who was absolutely delighted with the result.
Speaking after the event, an emotional Heading said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to win a quota place for my country. I’ve been so close but to finally do it and give something back for my country. It really does mean the world.
“After everything shooting has given me, I can now give something back. I’d just like to thank my entire support team around me, which is all made possible by the funding I receive from UK Sport and the National Lottery.
“I’d like to first thank my entire family. Natasha and my son who are here today. My sponsors Fiocchi and Laporte – I’m just so thankful.”
That quota means Team GB now have four quotas in shooting, with Seonaid McIntosh, Kirsty Barr and Matt Coward-Holley having already secured theirs.
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