Hot Scott: My best ever year

The Battle shooter won medals at three major international competitions during a glorious summer of success.

He said: “I’m very pleased. It’s been the best year of my career without a doubt. I’m really chuffed with myself and how I performed. It’s also been a great year for GB in general.”

Scott’s hot streak began when he struck gold at the European Shotgun Championships in Hungary during June, defeating the reigning champion in a close-fought men’s double trap final.

The final produced near faultless shooting from both Scott and Russian competitor Vasily Mosin. Scott missed his first target on the ninth pair and Mosin missed one on his 10th as both hit 29/30.

With the scores level, the outcome had to be decided by a sudden death shoot-off and Scott eventually prevailed after world number nine Mosin missed one of the second pair.

It was the second time that Scott has been crowned European champion, as well as winning the junior version.

Just a few weeks later, Scott was on target again by winning Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.

Scott beat England team-mate Matthew French to secure gold in a dramatic and high quality final at the Barry Buddon Centre in Dundee.

French dropped just one clay out of 30, but Scott nailed every one to secure his second Commonwealth gold medal having won the double trap pairs event in Delhi four years previously.

Scott, who is number one in the British rankings, then won a bronze medal at the 2014 ISSF World Shooting Championships in Spain during September.

The 29-year-old was triumphant in the bronze medal match against Italian world number six Daniele Di Spigno by 27 targets to 26 (out of 30). The pair previously finished joint third in the semi-final on 28/30 with the top two both hitting 30/30, although Scott hit all of his final 28 targets.

Scott’s achievements were recognised when he was presented with the Freedom Leisure Sports Personality of the Year accolade at the Sussex Sports Awards in November.

“Probably the Commonwealth Games was the highlight in terms of publicity, but for me winning a bronze medal at the World Championships is like winning a bronze at the Olympics,” continued Scott, who says his coach Ahmad Al Maktoum (the 2004 Olympic gold medallist) is the main reason for his improvement in fortunes.

“I’m on the top tier of funding as well so I’m a professional shooter. All the hard work, time and dedication have paid off.”