Matt Skelhon clinched Great Britain's 22nd gold medal of the Paralympic Games in Beijing by winning the mixed SH1 10 metres air rifle prone. He beat the home favourite Zhang Cuiping by just half a point.

Skelhon equalled the world record in his first six series as every shot fired straight to a maximum 10 for an unbeatable total of 600 points. He then scored 104.9 in the 10-shot final where fractions were needed to separate him from the Chinese shooter who’d also hit a maximum in the series.

“To score 600 out of 600 after just one and a half years of serious training is fantastic,” said Kularatne. “I’m really pleased that Matt won gold and especially with an equal world record and perfect score.”

A former archer and wheelchair basketball player, the 23-year-old only made his international debut last year and his performance today was hailed by shooting team manager Pasan Kularatne.

Skelhon, a student from Peterborough who sports a bright red Mohican haircut because “it really stands out”, seemed almost nonchalant about his performance.

“I don’t know how I did it,” he said. “I just calmed down and shot.”

He even had to be told his final score. “I didn’t know,” he said. “I am satisfied with 704.9, although I could have done better. I actually put a lot of pressure on myself. I tried to calm down and just pulled the trigger.”

Skelhon’s victory continues a strong tradition for Britain’s Paralympic shooters following the three golds won by Di Coates in Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta and the two titles Isabel Newstead picked up in Sydney and Athens after she switched from athletics and swimming.

Nathan Milgate also shot well in a high quality competition where 599 points were needed to make the eight-man final. Milgate finished 12th of the 44 competitors.

Qualification & Final Scores