SHOOTING star David Luckman described winning gold in both the Queen’s Prize pairs and individual events at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as an “amazing feeling”.

Luckman was born in Taunton and followed his father and brother’s footsteps into the sport, honing his craft at Sedgemoor Target Shooting Club in Burnham-on-Sea.

The Commonwealth Games followed shooting’s off-season (October-March), so Luckman took on specific training for the Gold Coast.

The 42-year-old said: “There's the technical side; we organised a training camp in South Africa a month before the Games, and that was invaluable.

“Physical fitness also makes a difference, in coping with the pressure and conditions, so I do swimming, running and work in the gym.

“Then there is visualisation – running through the processes of when I’m competing, and specifically for the Commonwealth Games.

“I don’t usually compete in front of a big crowd or on TV, so this enables me to cope and not be thrown off.”

Having won gold in both Queen’s Prize events in Glasgow 2014, was there more pressure this time?

“In a way, yes,” Luckman said.

“There was more expectation from people at home, but I treated it as a new event, something to achieve not defend.

“I’m at my best when I’m positive and on the front foot.”

Luckman won the Queen’s Prize pairs alongside England team-mate Parag Patel, and said: “Parag and I work together really, really well.

“We were in the same school year and we’ve been in teams together for 25 years.

“We have a strong understanding, and you have to have that communication during the event to support each other.”

Having retained his pairs title with Patel, Luckman looked to do the same in the individual event.

He said: “Keeping focus is a massive part of it.

“There are two days of short-range shooting, then the third is long range.

“The long range usually decides it, with the distance and wind factor, but you’ve got to stay in the pack in the short range.

“Psychologically it’s hard to win the pairs and then perform at your best [in the individual event].”

That rang true, as the other pairs medallists (from Scotland and Wales) fell away in the individual event.

But Luckman hung on in there and ultimately struck gold again by setting a new Games record (404 - 49v).

He added: “The most amazing feeling builds up as you’re waiting for the medal ceremony.

“Then to stand on the podium and have the anthem played, it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Luckman became world champion in 2007, but the back-to-back Commonwealth gold doubles certainly rank up there with that title.

“Achievement-wise, the World Championship is probably biggest.

“But the Commonwealth Games brings more attention, and to be part of the England team is a very different experience.”

Luckman will now prepare for the British Open in July and, in the long term, the World Championship in New Zealand next year – but only after a well-earned break!