Skelhon, a gold medallist at Beijing 2008, saw off the challenge of 18-time world champion Jonas Jacobsson of Sweden to capture the win. 

The 29-year-old was already well clear of the field by the midway point leading by 2.2 points.

By the time Skelhon entered the final round, he led Jacobsson by 3.2 and gold was all but secured in style when he landed a 10.3 to break his the finals record with a score of 209.5.

Jacobsson, winner of his 18th world title earlier in the week, had to settle for silver while Israel's Doron Shaziri took bronze.

Russia secured the team gold.

"As soon as I got in the lead in a little bit, I just wanted to build on that," said Skelhon.

"When I got two points ahead, I thought I am going to have to make a massive mistake to lose this one [as] I have had some problems in the past with dropping the last few shots.

"But this time I stayed strong and focussed throughout - it felt good."

Jonas Jacobsson was denied a 19th world title by Matt Skelhon in Suhl ©Getty Images




In the P3 mixed 25m pistol SH1 final, Sweden's Joackim Norberg and Russian Sergey Malyshev produced a memorable battle as both men swapped the lead throughout.

But, with the scores tied at six apiece, Norberg stepped up his game to land his first and fourth shots to secure an 8-6 victory over Paralympic silver medal winner Malyshev who also lost out earlier in the week by just one shot to South Korean Heejung Lee in the final of the men's P1 10 metre air pistol.

"I am delighted," said the 45-yearold Swede.

"It is my first gold medal in my first World Championships.

"He [Malyshev] is a tough shooter and has been doing this for a long time.

"I knew what I had to fight for and in the end I could hold my nerves together.

"It's not over until it's over, and it goes back and forth.

"When you get the lead, you get an extra stress in your body and he is a good shooter, so anything could have happened."

There was also a tight finish in the bronze medal match as China's Hedong Ni overcame Olivera Nakovska-Bikova of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 9-7.

Malyshev's efforts helped Russia to claim its second team gold of the day.

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