SHOOTING: Rio 2016 Olympian James Willett continues to shine on the international stage adding the double trap World Cup Final title to his growing list of achievements.

A couple of months after finishing fifth at his Olympic debut, the 20-year-old got the better of his rivals at one of the toughest events on the calendar.

“Obviously the ISSF World Cup Final was great,” Willett told ISSF after the win in Rome.

“I came over here a few days ago and enjoyed the range and the shooting, and I managed to put a good score together and win today.

“I had a big year, in 2016. I got to represent Australia at the Olympic Games.

“I managed to come 5th in Rio. I was a little bit disappointed on not winning a medal. I came here trying to finish the year on a high, and I can’t complain.”

Willett moved through to the semi-final ranked third after shooting 141 of the 150 targets.

He then shot 28/30 before both he and Jeffrey Holguin of the USA got the better of Andreas Loew of Germany in a three way shoot-off to move into the gold medal match.

It was there that Willett shot 28 targets to Holguin’s 27 to claim his biggest title to date.

And while he was keen for a medal in Rio, Willett knows there are plenty more chances at Olympic glory ahead of him.

“The next aim is to make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and hopefully to win a gold medal there.”

Olympic Champion Catherine Skinner competes in the women’s trap on Friday local time. 

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au