On the same day shooter Michael Diamond relinquished his position as king of Olympic trap, Australia found a new prince.

Victoria's Adam Vella defied predictions to take bronze in the event at his first Olympic Games, while gold medal favourite Diamond failed to make the final.

Vella shot consistently over two days and dropped just one target in the final for an overall score of 145 out of 150 in windy conditions.

Russia's Alexei Alipov won gold with an almost-perfect score of 149, while Italian Giovanni Pellielo took silver with 146.

Vella, 33, said he was stunned by his success.

"I always thought if I won a medal I'd do a cartwheel or a handstand but I can't do that right anyway, but I would have tried," the Melburnian said.

"I don't know, I suppose I'll hang out with the guys, and sit down and when it hits me I'll probably fall off my chair."

Diamond and Vella clashed earlier this year when the reigning Olympic champion suggested Vella defend his Games berth alongside another competitor in a shoot-off.

Vella, who was number one in the world for part of 2003, demanded an apology from Diamond and relations were strained on a team visit to Brazil.

But they have since buried the hatchet and Vella paid tribute to a man he has described as a professional role model.

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