By Paul Evans

Ben Llewellin will fly to Croatia on Friday to compete in next week’s European Shooting Championship event that should see him qualify for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Both Team GB Men’s Skeet shooting quotas are up for grabs in Osijek – with Llewellin firm favourite to secure his place in Japan.

The 26-year old three-time British champion and Commonwealth Games silver medal winner is on superb form, having won the Olympic Skeet Grand Prix in East Yorkshire by shooting 58/60 in the final.

The Pembrokeshire ace has also been on target in the ISSF World Cup, and only just missed the Men’s Skeet final in Lonato by one target – having shot an impressive 122/125 against an incredibly strong field in Italy.

“There was some serious competition out in Italy and I just missed the final by one target, which was agonisingly close,” said Llewellin.

“Next up are the European Championships in Croatia, which is the event with the all-important quotas for Olympic qualification.

“With each nation allowed two athletes, some countries like Italy and France have already filled their quotas – meaning that I don’t have to beat them in Croatia to qualify for Tokyo.

“Having said that, the pressure is still on, as it’s the last opportunity to qualify for the Olympics – but I’m fully focused on preparing for the tournament and if I shoot to the standard I did in Lonato, I should be okay.”