Disability Target Shooting Great Britain representing disabled rifle and pistol shooters in Great Britain

Milgate makes mark in debut final

Marksman Nathan Milgate overcame a nervous start to finish eighth in a high quality standing air rifle final at his first Paralympic Games in Beijing today.

Milgate battled back from a shaky start to this morning’s qualifying round to shoot a total score of 686.9.

“I had a couple of dodgy shots at the beginning but it was better at the end,” said the 21-year-old shooter from Herne Bay in Kent who might have been a medal-contender but for two early “strings” of 97 and 95.

After calming words from his coach, Milgate made the final with 587 and settled down to relish the experience of competing at the Chinese capital’s Shooting Hall Range.

“It was a very nerve wracking experience, probably the most nerve wracking I have had,” he said. “But at the same time it was great to make the final and I enjoyed it a lot.”

He scored 99.9 in the 10-shot final where gold went to Sweden’s Jonas Jacobsson with a world and Paralympic record of 596.

“It’s a shame I had a dodgy start,” reflected Milgate afterwards. “The nerves came in and I concentrated too much on the technical side of things.

“But my coach came over, talked to me and I started again. After that I was better. It’s just getting the first couple off then I’m OK. But it’s all good experience and a learning curve.”

Earlier Matt Skelhon shot 578 in qualifying to finish 18th of the 26 entrants.

The 23-year-old Peterborough student, who sports a red Mohawk haircut, is targeting the prone event on Thursday (11 September) and used today’s competition to get used to the venue.

“It was really exciting out there,” he said. “I took a few shots to get into it but after that my nerves calmed down and I rattled on through. It’s been really useful to see what the nerves are like.”

Milgate also fires again in Thursday’s prone event.

Qualification & Final Scores

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