Double trap shooter William Chetcuti is readying himself for an intense six months as he steps up his preparations for next summer’s London Olympics.

The double trap event at the London Olympics is scheduled to take place on August 2 at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London.

Chetcuti, who was honoured by the country last month when he received il-Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika from President George Abela, is currently working on his physical condition under the tutelage of coach Jimmy Bugeja.

His first overseas commitment for 2012 will take him to Kuwait for the international Grand Prix between February 11 and 18.

Chetcuti, who secured a berth in the London Olympics after clinching the gold medal in a World Cup shoot in Beijing last year, will then travel to the United States to participate in a World Cup shoot in Tucson between March 23 and April 1.

The following month, Chetcuti is expected to compete in a pre-Olympic shoot which will be held in London on April 17.

Ten days later, the Manikata-born shooter will make a home appearance when he takes part in the International Double Trap Grand Prix at the Bidnija Ranges.

In May, Chetcuti, Malta’s best prospect for what would be a landmark medal in the Olympics for the country, will shoot in his last two competitions before the London Games.

The first of these two final events, a World Cup shoot, will take place in Lonato, Italy, and a week later, Chetcuti will make his way to Larnaca, Cyprus to take part in the European Championships.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that the Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) and the Maltese Olympic Committee have applied for a wild card which would enable a second Maltese shooter to compete in the London Games.

“We have applied for a wild card for the London Games and we are still awaiting a reply from the international body,” MSSF president Saviour Portelli told The Times yesterday.

“It’s not going to be easy as many other countries have also submitted applications but we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to field two shooters in London.”

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