A few days after turning 29, Federico Gil made himself the most beautiful present.

In Larnaka, at the third ISSF World Cup stage of the 2017, the Argentinian Skeet shooter climbed on an international podium for the first time in his career, putting the brightest medal around the neck.

"Today it was a very special match for me. I'm very very happy, not only for the result, but also because today is my mom's birthday..." said Gil after the award ceremony, dedicating the Gold medal to his parents, who were both in Larnaka: his father as the coach, his mother as a special guest.

"I really like the new format of the finals, it allows you to get back in the match if you start with the wrong foot, to improve your performance. I really like it!" concluded Gil.

The Argentinian shooter closed the match with 56 targets, just 1 hit shy of the current World Record. Alongside him, on the podium, walked Cyprus' Georgios Achilleos, winner of the Silver medal, and Russia's Alexander Zemlin, who placed in 3rd position.

With this win, the 29-year-old born in Buenos Aires secured a spot among the ISSF World Cup Final participants, committed to compete in New Delhi next October.