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SUCCESS on the international stage is giving Bookaar trap shooter Penny Smith confidence as she counts down to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games selection trials. Smith, 24, has competed overseas five times in 2019 with a world cup meet in Finland in four weeks' time rounding out her hectic schedule. She returned from the International Shooting Sport Federation world championships in Italy on Sunday with a bronze medal in the mixed team event. It came a week after winning gold in the Beretta Gold Cup individual women's event. "Any medal overseas is great but the world championships are a big confidence booster," she said. Smith was overlooked for Shooting Australia's two-member Commonwealth Games team last year despite being the nation's second-ranked athlete on qualifying points. She vowed to put the disappointment behind her and be a role model for the sport and is now focused on the Olympic qualifiers. "We start trials for the Olympic Games in January," Smith said. "There's four matches back-to-back and the team will be picked by April next year. "In summer there will be a lot of training. Whatever will be will be but hopefully I get over the line. "Last year was disappointing but it's in the past now. "I am more determined as a shooter to succeed." Smith shot 163 of a possible 175 targets to win gold at the Beretta Gold Cup and combined with partner Tom Grice to hit 144/150 at the world championships. They competed in a shoot-off with another Australian pair for a spot in the gold medal match but fell short. They shot 45/50 in the bronze medal match against the USA. Smith was pleased with her performances, which also included finishing 16th out of 64 in the ISSF women's individual trap competition. "It's always really good to go to Europe at this time of year and do solid training," she said. "I opted to go over early." Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.

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