Nic was one point off grabbing the gold medal with a Heavy Varmint score of 746.42 out of 750.75.

This competition serves as the first qualifier for the Australian team, who will compete in Slovenia in 2017.

The next qualifying round will be held in Melbourne next year.

Nic said the competition in Sydney was very close.

“The wind was pretty ordinary and I dropped three on the third target,” he said.

“There are a lot of really good shooters about.”

“It’s as much a mental sport as anything.”

Nic does have his sights set on the national team but said really anything could happen.

“I would like to try and qualify (for the Australian Team again) but we will see how it goes,” he said.

“There’s no funding for trips like that, so we will also just have to see what is happening at the time.”

Current World Champion John Radford said Nic has shown steady improvement throughout the last year.

“He kept me pretty honest,” John said.

“He is very talented and deserves all the success.”

 “Nic would be a real force in Slovenia, but he would need local support from the community to fund a trip.”

Over the weekend in  Sporter Nic scored 485.17 out of 500.50 which placed him 18th; in Light Varmint he scored 495.23 out of 500.50 which gave him a 6th place; and in the 3 Gun he shot 1725.82 out of 1750.175 which placed him in 5th position.

Nic will compete in Armidale this weekend which will be his last competition for the year.