His shooting got better and better during the team's European tour leading up to world championships in Zagreb, Croatia in July.

In the 10-metre prone, Cain scored a 597 out of 600 in Germany, a 598 in France and in Croatia he shot 600-600, hitting the bull's-eye every time – his personal best.

But on a countback, when the judges narrow it down to the contestant's final 10 shots that hit closest to the dead centre of the target,

Cain finished ninth on decimal points after eight other contestants equalled the world record.

It has been a remarkable climb to the top ranks for the 30yearold who took up air rifle shooting as a sport less than three years ago. He is rated sixth in the world.

In August 1999 while going up for a mark as full-forward for Rosebud firsts against Hastings, then 19-year-old Cain was sandwiched between a teammate and an opponent and damaged his spinal column.

Paralysed from the chest down, he can move his arms, but has no feeling in his hands or fingers.

The accident cut short his football career and destroyed his hopes of learning a trade.

At the time he had only two months left to serve for his electrician's apprenticeship.

But Cain was determined not to vegetate in his wheelchair and the first thing he did when he was out of hospital was to buy a fishing boat.

But fishing was a great hobby, Cain was looking for a sport that allowed him to compete.

In November 2007 he joined the Springvale Shooters Club and has not looked back since.

His first overseas competition was South Korea in 2009 when he shot well, then he improved to win the 2009 Oceania gold medal in the prone section and silver in the 'standing', with scores of 597/600 in both events.

Cain competes with a $3500 German Feinwerkbau air rifle.

He says what he needs now to keep up with the world's best is an electronic target that measures the accuracy of shots closer than cardboard targets.

The drawback is that an electronic target costs between $8000-$10,000, so Cain is seeking a sponsor to help him achieve his sporting dream.