SHOOTING: Double Trap shooter James Willett has again proven his ability to match it with the world’s best having claimed bronze at the 2016 ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Nycosia, Cyprus.
Willett qualified fourth in the 42-man event with a score of 138/150 to make the six-man semi-final.
Needing to be in the top four to shoot-off for a medal, Willett shot clean through the first ten targets. He missed two early in the next set but shot 17 straight to finish tied with three others on 28/30 targets.
After missing his second target in the four-way shoot-off, the 20-year-old progressed to the bronze medal match against Germany’s Andrea Loew.
Willett kept his cool throughout to shoot 26/30 and defeat Loew by one shot and win bronze.
The result continues what has been a rapid rise for the youngster from Corowa who only took up the double trap discipline just over twelve months ago.
He broke the Junior World Record with a score of 142/150 in his first World Cup event in March, 2015 on his way to making the final in the UAE.
Willett finished the year by winning the Rio 2016 quota for Australia at the Oceania Championships and is now looking to gain selection for his first Olympic Games in Rio.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
