A BORDER sharpshooter is taking aim at the Rio Olympics after a winning week at the Clay Target National Championships at Lake Macquarie.
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Corowa’s James Willett overcame the windy conditions earlier in the week to win both the Commonwealth and national ISSF under-21 double trap titles.
The 18-year-old was the overall winner of the Commonwealth event, shooting 131 from 150, and followed it up with a score of 129 in the national category the following day.
His score was good enough for third place in the open category in the national event, but he dominated the under-21 category with victories in both classes.
Willett credited new coach Olympian Russell Mark for helping him transition into the double trap category from his previously favoured skeet class.
“He’s pointed me in the right direction, and saw that this is a discipline that suits me better,” Willett said.
“He’s been shooting for over 30 years, he’s a two-time Olympic medallist, he knows exactly what it takes to get to where I want to go.”
The Lake Macquarie win means Willett has continued the strong form he showed last year, as he makes a push towards a spot in the world rankings.
Willett was the best of the 40-man field, with his performances securing him the high gun award in the Olympic double trap category.
“I’ve had a bit of a break in the lead-up to this event, so it was great to get the result I got,” he said.
“I’m actually feeling pretty confident in my own form, now the challenge will be to try and continue it.
“I just have to try and build on my scores and keep improving.”
The young marksman is set to travel to Cyprus with the Australian team to compete in the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in April.
He claimed the title of world junior trap champion in New Zealand in March 2014, before leading Australia’s under-21 team at the universal trench championships in Italy last year.