Faulds aims to be top gun

Gunning for glory: Faulds is fired up

By Chris Bevan BBC Sport Online

Richard Faulds has already reached the very summit of his sport.

That came in the 2000 Sydney Olympics when he took gold in the double trap shooting.

Now he has his sights set on a Commonwealth triumph, and winning on home soil would make it extra special for him.

Faulds told BBC Sport Online: "I would love to win Commonwealth gold in my home country. Who wouldn't?

I have been shooting very decent scores - I just hope I can maintain that form

Richard Faulds

"In terms of prestige the Games are slightly below the Olympics but it's still a major event."

Faulds did not shoot in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 as his event was not included, but he is not expecting an easy ride on his Games debut.

"There are no Americans or Italians, and they are two big shooting countries," he said.

"It's nice not to have them about but it won't necessarily make things any easier.

"The Australians are a bit on the hot side, and the Indians and the Canadians too, but there are a lot of people who are in with a shout," he added.

Two in particular are Australian pair Michael Diamond and Russell Mark, who are both entering the single and double trap events.

Faulds took gold at the Sydney Olympics

Mark was the loser in an epic shoot-off when Faulds won his Olympic crown while Diamond took gold in single trap at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

All Faulds can do is prepare and perform the best he can - which is where sports pyschologist Peter Terry comes in.

Terry turns Faulds into what he terms an "ice-man" ahead of major events - helping him focus in a sport where concentration is vital.

And Faulds said: "I've got a lot of faith in him. He knows how my head works and he knows how to get me in the right frame of mind. Hopefully that will be enough.

"Recently I have been shooting very decent scores on a regular basis, I just hope I can maintain that form.

"Home advantage may help, but Russell was on his own territory in Sydney so it doesn't always work like that."