Heading, whose one previous World Cup gold medal came in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, triumphed with 42 hits out of 50 at the newly-built National Shooting Ranges.

His victory was sealed at the end of a weather-affected day as the strong wind conditioned several rounds of the qualification phase and caused a 90-minute delay to the start of the final.

With 20 clays left to shoot, Heading and first-time finalist Du Yu of China had already distanced themselves from the rest of the field and they entered the final 10 targets with the same score of 34 hits.

There, Du missed three of his first five clays to allow Heading to take the lead and ultimately increase Britain's gold medal tally at the event to two following Amber Hill's victory in the women's skeet last Friday (June 8).

The Chinese concluded with 38 hits and had to settle for the silver medal.

"I feel amazing," the 31-year-old Heading said.

"But firstly I want to say thank you to the Maltese Federation for building a great facility.

"They’ve done amazing work and everybody here has been fantastic."

Slovakia’s Marián Kovačócy came third with 30 out of 40 targets.

The 33-year-old shooter, who won at the 2009 ISSF World Championship in Maribor in Slovenia, signed off with eight consecutive hits to collect the first World Cup medal of his career.

Action in Siggiewi is due to conclude tomorrow with the mixed team trap event being held.