First blow to Gault

Dereham shooter Mick Gault has struck an early psychological blow against one of the men who could stand in his way of becoming the most successful all-time Commonwealth Games competitor.

Gault beat Indian Samaresh Jung to win the free pistol gold in a recent international competition in Hanover in Germany and described the victory as 'really satisfying.'

Jung is one of the 'sporting gods' in India and is certain to be a key member of the host nation's squad at next year's Commonwealth Games in New Dehli.

While shooters in Britain have to battle against the gun ban, and have to fight recognition and funding, marksmen in India are given huge backing and massive rewards for success.

Gault beat Jung in the individual event and Britain also overcame India in the team competition in Hanover. Gault also won silver in the team air pistol.

'It was very successful and winning the free pistol was very satisfying,' he said.

'Samaresh gets �10,000 for every gold! Indians are fully paid professional shooters. They are gods in shooting.'

This month Gault is competing at World Cup events in Germany and Italy and then the world championships are being held in the Czech Republic and it is the first time he has been in such contests for eight years as a change in GB team management has given him a fresh chance.

Gault - who hopes to get in the world top 15 - is going out to Dehli in January for a two week trial and the Commonwealths are in October.

Gault currently has 15 Commonwealth medals and if he can get three more he would be the most decorated competitor of all time.

He is planning to compete for eight medals in New Dehli - four individual and four team.

Gault hopes he will be able to more relaxed on foreign soil and the weight of expectation will be against the Indians.

'The pressure of shooting on your own patch is amazing,' he said.