The Sydney 2000 silver medallist had already earned World Cup victories in the discipline in both Bangkok and Munich earlier this season, with those victories moving him to the top of the world rankings.

Grimmel continued to justify that status by qualifying for the final in Azerbaijan’s capital city by scoring a total of 622.2 points.

The 40-year-old found himself trailing Britain’s Kenneth Parr for the majority of the final, but took the lead with four shots of the competition left and held on to finish on a winning points total of 208.4.

Parr was forced to settle for the silver medal with a tally of 208.0, while Croatia’s Petar Gorsa completed the podium on 187.5.

“I am so happy, I am so excited,” said Grimmel

“It has been really hard, I have had a hard time yesterday, like everybody else, because of the wind.

“The wind wasn’t blowing that hard, but it changed often, back and forth.

“With 40 days to go to the Games I am trying to keep it easy, and continue to work at home as I did during the last months.”

Germany’s Christian Reitz triumphed in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event as the world record holder hit all five final targets in the gold medal contest to end with a winning score of 32.

Silver was earned by China’s Zhang Fusheng, with the world number one ending two targets down on Reitz, the Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist.

South Korea’s Kang Minu finished on the podium after scoring 25 hits, while France’s Jean Quiquampoix missed out on a medal after only managing 21.