Rebecca Madyson kept her promise and made Malta proud in a big-scale event yesterday after finishing second in the women's Trap competition in the Commonwealth Games at the Melbourne Gun Club.
So far, this is the most outstanding result ever for Malta in the Commonwealths and betters the performances of William Chetcuti, third in Manchester four years ago, and Laurie Pace, also third in judo in 1990.
Madyson's medal also consolidates the claim of the local shooting fraternity that their sport has given the country the best results ever on the international stage.
Chetcuti, the current world record holder in Double Trap (192 from 200), was also a bronze medallist in last year's Mediterranean Games in Almeria and second in a World Cup shoot in Belgrade. Thirteen years ago, in France, Emmanuel Abela was a Mediterranean Games bronze medal winner in Trap.
Madyson, 26, is the daughter of Maltese parents who migrated to Australia in search of a new life.
Before marriage Rebecca's surname was Attard. Husband Jamie and her parents were at the ranges yesterday to support Rebecca, a mother of one child and six months pregnant. She lives in Morwell and visited the islands last year.
An ecstatic Malta Shooting Federation president Saviour Portelli yesterday told The Times from Melbourne that Madyson's performance was simply superb and that she was true to her word.
"When we asked Rebecca to shoot for Malta last year she immediately accepted our invitation. Before, she had competed for Australia in the Oceania Games but was overlooked for further selections," Portelli said.
"Rebecca wanted to repay the faith shown in her and vowed to win a medal in a top competition. Surely, the Australians are ruing their decision to release her after six years. Their competitor was fourth in Trap."
Madyson, who showed a great level of concentration despite her condition, was second after the first 75 clays. She targetted the only 25-straight of the day in the third round after scores of 23 and 22.
The gold medal went to South Africa's Diane Swanton. She hit 20 in the barrage for an overall score of 92.
Madyson was second with 86 ahead of Susan Nattrass (Canada - 83). Nattrass won a shoot-off with Desiree Baynes (Australia) and Teresa Borrell (New Zealand).
MOC Director of Sport Pippo Psaila, the chef-de-mission in Melbourne, said Madyson's silver medal was the best ever result in international competition. The pre-set targets were on track.
"We said before we left Malta that in Melbourne the MOC is expecting a better result than Manchester 2002," he said.
"Madyson's silver medal in Trap has already achieved our goal but we are not finished yet.
"Naturally, we have high hopes on William Chetcuti in Double Trap and the lawn bowls pairs have a medal match coming up against Australia.
"Simon Gerada can also achieve a good result in table tennis... we'll wait until Saturday to see if our predictions were correct."
Psaila said Madyson's achievement was no mean feat at all.
"One has to consider her position at the moment," Psaila said.
"Rebecca is expecting a baby in three months' time but her will to succeed was exceptional. She was overjoyed after the shoot and deserves all credit she can get."
Meanwhile, Malta's hopeful in the men's Trap, Frans Pace, was two clays behind the sixth-placed shooter and a place in the barrage, after the first two rounds.
Pace, in 14th place, had scores of 23 and 22 for an overall 45 ahead of today's remaining two rounds before the final.
Australian Michael Diamond is sharing the top spot with India's Manavit Singh Sandhu on 49. The sixth position is occupied by Tye Warner Beitz, of Canada, with 47.
The other Maltese shooter in Trap, Stanley Cardona, was 34th from 41 competitors yesterday. He had scores of 22 and 17.