David Davies could become the oldest medal winner at next year's Commonwealth Games.

He will be 60 in November but has set his sights on hitting the target for the senior citizens of sport.

Davies, from Littlehampton, has been selected for the full-bore pairs rifle shooting, along with partner Gabrielle O'Leary, and feels he can repeat his bronze success of 1998 in Kuala Lumpur.

The competition will be held in Bisley, Surrey, away from the main event in Manchester, where there are proper shooting facilities.

The Hurstpierpoint Club member said: "I could well be the oldest competitor, whether I win a medal or not. The only other sport that might have someone of my age is bowls, and I'd be delighted to show old guys can achieve at such a high level.

"When I won my bronze with Chris Hockley, I thought that was it, I was getting a bit too old for this game. It was a fantastic experience, the best of my life, apart from seeing the birth of my two sons.

"It was so emotional. When I looked at the flag being flown I felt so proud that I'd done something for my country.

"But then I looked around and thought I was still good enough to carry on to the next Games so I had a go at the trials. My attitude was that my rivals had to beat me.

"It went down to the last shoot at the last trial of six which lasted six months. I had to beat Chris to gain my place and felt terrible about that, but he understood.

"There are a lot of good youngsters in my sport who get spectacular scores, but I wanted to show them that I can give them a run for their money.

"I still have the fire in my belly. I love the challenge."

Davies will compete for Wales in a third successive games. He said: "I was eligible to represent England but Wales asked me first."

He views Sussex team-mate Jane Messer, selected for England, as a major rival along with Irish pair David Calvert and Martin Millar who took the gold medal in Malaysia. He said: "Jane must be one of the favourites with her partner. She has such a wonderful temperament and is a good shot. The Irish team is still performing well. Remember Britain are the best in the world."

The fact the trials were so early will, he believes, aid his cause.

He said: "Gabrielle and I will have a long time to build up a partnership, which you need. When I was with Chris he was slower and more methodical, writing down the wind variation and elevation of the barrel as the distance extended from 300 yards to 1,000 yards between each shot.

I'm very quick. So we reached a compromise where we shared the note-taking. We lived and breathed the event.

"Gabrielle was outstanding in the trials and I feel that we can develop a winning combination.

"The maximum score is 405 and we will have to score more than 400 to get a medal."

Davies believes he will be helped by what he calls 'positive finger control', a message written out on a scrap of paper in his rifle case He said: "Once you pull the trigger you cannot be tentative, it must be a smooth action, otherwise your bullet veers off."

Davies is convinced that his age will not be a factor.

He said: "I keep myself fit enough through swimming, bike riding, weight training for the wrists and arms and general exercises.

"Stamina is important because you have to compete for three hours over three days lying full length. My shooting position puts a strain on my neck, I have constant massage to keep it supple and go to a chiropractor to keep a small back problem at bay.

"You need absolute concentration and I find that playing a computer game called Minesweeper helps me get it."

Meanwhile, Jane Messer will be the first woman to represent England at the Commonwealth Games full-bore rifle shooting.

The civil servant from Hailsham has been chosen for the pairs, with Glyn Barnett (Norfolk), and individual events.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted, particularly as I am with Glyn who won two medals at the last Games. I didn't expect to make it. I've been trialling for more than a year against very strong shooters."

Messer, around 30 years David Davies' junior, believes more women will follow.

She said: "The numbers are growing. I got interested through my father and many women who compete came into the sport in a similar way, through a member of the family.

"But now interest is spreading through universities, medical schools and among cadets where females have got involved off their own bat.

"Gabrielle O'Leary, who partners David Davies, will be the first woman to represent Wales at the Games.

"It is a sport which either sex can compete in because it doesn't rely on physical strength.

"What you do need is good concentration and judgment because of the varying windy conditions. The fact I've got good eyes helps and in the pairs it is more than useful to be able to assist your partner as a wind coach."

Messer , a Hailsham club member, who won two gold medals and one silver for Britain at the World Championships two years ago, said: "I always want to improve my personal best which is a difficult because conditions are never the same."

Messer, brought up in Wadhurst, said: "I enjoy the history, the tradition, the camaraderie, the fun and the aesthetic pleasure of often competing in a beautiful environment that had wild life, flowers. We want to win but it's not as intense as other sports."