Yesterday, the Australian Team finished competition at the ISSF World Cup Pistol, Rifle & Shotgun event in Hangzhou, China. Australia was only represented at this event by its Shotgun Team, with seven Trap athletes and one Skeet athlete in attendance.
This World Cup is one of the largest events on the 2026 ISSF international calendar, welcoming 686 athletes from 61 countries for nine days of intense competition.
Following a successful campaign in Lonato, Italy just three weeks earlier, the Australian team kept their foot on the gas in China, delivering two medal winning performances.
James Willett returned to the top step of the podium in China, this time alongside Penny Smith, as the duo claimed the Trap Mixed Team gold medal in a dominant fashion.
Smith and Willett produced a near-perfect qualification performance, shooting a Mixed Team qualification world record equalling score of 149 out of 150 targets, to qualify 1st overall in a field of 29 international teams.
In the Trap Mixed Team Final, the Aussie duo beat out the home favourite athletes from China, shooting a score of 37 out of 40 targets to claim the gold medal and equal the Trap Mixed Team Finals world record set by James Willett and Catherine Skinner at the start of the month in Lonato.
Speaking to her and James’ outstanding performance in the Trap Mixed Team event, Penny Smith said, “It was a wonderful way to finish a five-week tour. It’s been an extremely hot week, so for us both to continue to shoot at such a high level is amazing. James shot excellently all day, only missing one target, but it was a team effort and something we are both very proud of.”
Reflecting on who supported and contributed to her success in Hangzhou, Smith highlighted “My parents are always the backbone of my shooting, and I have a great team around me that dedicate a lot of time, so to them I am very thankful. Renae and Tommy have also done an incredible job supporting us across both World Cups. Thank you to my teammates as well, we have had a great time in China.”
As well as winning gold in the Trap Mixed Teams event, Smith also produced an outstanding result in the Women’s Trap competition, qualifying for the finals and eventually taking 4th place overall.
Looking back on the experience gained throughout the five-week international tour, Smith highlighted, “the competition level just keeps on improving so much, but the time away always provides valuable lessons. I’m really happy with my performances across both World Cups and I’m looking forward to the rest of 2026.”
James Willett echoed Smith’s sentiment explaining “It’s a pretty special way to finish the World Cup and a long campaign away. Penny and I shot really well all day in the extremely hot conditions, and I think we had good confidence heading into the Mixed Team Final.
“To win two back-to-back gold medals with two different teammates shows the depth we’ve got within the Australian Team which is really exciting. To be part of two world record performances is something I’ll always be proud of, but more than anything, it’s encouraging to see that the work we’ve all been putting in is paying off.”
Speaking to his key take aways from this tour, Willett said “These last five weeks away have been really valuable. We’ve had the chance to compete against the best in the world in different conditions, and that’s the sort of experience you can’t replicate at home. I’ll take plenty of confidence from this trip, but there is still a lot to keep improving on as we build towards the World Championships, if selected, and the first Olympic quota events for LA 2028.”
Willett dedicated his success to those who have supported him throughout this trip explaining, “I’ve had a great group supporting me in the lead-up to and throughout this trip. Thanks to my personal coaches Russell Mark and Peter Wilson, who have been a huge part of my preparation. I’d also like to thank Shooting Australia, coaches Tom and Renae, the Victorian Institute of Sport, my family and my sponsors. It’s been a team effort and I’m grateful for all their support.”
Australia Team 2 consisting of Catherine Skinner and Gabe Sensi, fell short of qualifying for the Trap Mixed Team final, finishing qualification in 16th with a combined score of 138 out of 150.
The Trap Mixed Team gold medal was not the only medal for Australia at the ISSF World Cup in China, as Kiara Dean secured her first ever senior World Cup medal in the Women’s Trap event.
Kiara Dean, Penny Smith and Catherine Skinner all shot a score of 118 out of 125 in the Women’s Trap qualifying stage, joining a five way shoot off to determine the last three qualifiers to the Women’s Trap Finals. Smith and Dean both qualified, while Skinner fell just short of a final’s opportunity. In a highly competitive final, both Australian’s held their composure, with Dean eventually claiming 3rd and Smith 4th overall.
Thrilled with her bronze medal result, Dean said “I’m absolutely ecstatic to be bringing home my first senior World Cup medal. The experience I’ve gained from this event is invaluable and will give me great confidence heading into future competitions, I’m very excited to keep building on this result.”
She continued, “My biggest goal during these World Cups was to gain valuable experience ahead of our final team selection event in Sydney, with the aim of qualifying for the World Championships later this year. I am incredibly proud that I have achieved that goal and was able to take it a step further by bringing home a medal.”
Reflecting on those who have supported her throughout this World Cup and her shooting journey, Dean highlighted “Winning this medal is something I share with my entire support team. My family and partner have been incredible, and their support allows me to travel to selection events and compete internationally.”
“I’m also incredibly grateful to our coaches, Tom and Renae, whose belief in our abilities gives us the confidence to perform on the world stage. I’d also like to thank Shooting Australia and the Victorian Institute of Sport, without their support opportunities like these simply wouldn’t be possible.”
The Australian’s also held their own in the Men’s Trap event, with Nathan Argiro having a standout performance. Argiro shot a qualification score of 123 out of 125 to be an equal 4th highest scorer in the qualification stage. Unfortunately, he was not eligible to qualify for the finals as he was competing for Ranking Points Only (RPO).
Australia was also represented by James Willett, Thomas Grice and Gabe Sensi in the Men’s Trap and Luke Argiro in the Men’s Skeet. The Australian team was supported throughout the ISSF Lonato and Hangzhou World Cups by Shotgun Performance Coach, Renae Birgan and Shotgun Coaches Tom Turner and George Barton.
