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On day four of the 2019 Shotgun World Cup Australia’s Trap Mixed Teams have delivered outstanding results, with both Australian teams making the the finals and Team Willett/Scanlan taking Gold.

James Willett commented “Stoked to have come away with both Gold medals from the first ISSF World Cup of the 2019 season.”

Willett continued “Teash and I had a great final after shooting-off to get our place in the final. We have been training a lot together in the lead up so it was really nice to come away with the win.”

Laetisha echoed this in her comments “For the last few months James and I have been training hard together in preparation for the World Cup. After having to fight our way into the final with a shoot-off we are thrilled to return home with Gold for Australia”

High Performance Shotgun Coach Richard Sammon could not be happier “I am so proud of our entire team and their performances here in Mexico. The results are reward for all the hard work this team does away from the competition stage and are the perfect start to our World Cup season.”

The 2019 Shotgun World Cup continues at the Club de Caza, Tiro y Pesca de Acapulco, A.C. Shooting Range in Acapulco, Mexico.

Australia’s James Willett won Gold today at the 2019 Shotgun World Cup in Mexico.

Willett didn’t miss a beat in qualification, shooting a perfect 125 targets and equalling the World Record before moving on to the final round and taking the Gold.

“Coming away with the gold medal in the men’s trap and equaling the world record was a massive achievement for me,” James commented. “I have been training hard for this event this year and I’m glad it has paid off. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead!”

The 2019 Shotgun World Cup continues in Acapulco (Mex).

Australia’s Laetisha Scanlan took the Silver today at the 2019 Shotgun World Cup in Mexico.

“I’m so happy to start the World Cup season off with a silver medal” reported Scanlan after her win. “I didn’t start the best but I’m proud of the way I fought back to secure a place in the final and then represent Australia up on the podium!”

The 2019 Shotgun World Cup continues at the Club de Caza, Tiro y Pesca de Acapulco, A.C. Shooting Range in Acapulco, Mexico.

After seven years with Shooting Australia–six as Chief Executive Officer–Damien Marangon announced his resignation today.

Shooting Australia President Cath Fettell praised Damien for his leadership of the organisation. “Damien has been a terrific CEO and he has done a wonderful job delivering tangible outcomes and professionalising Shooting Australia. During his tenure the sport has delivered Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the best-ever individual gold medal tally at a Commonwealth Games and continues to deliver consistently on the world stage.”

Fettell continued, “Damien leaves our sport in a strong position with a high-performance program that delivers consistent world-class results, excellent relationships with Federal and State governments, increased funding, new partnerships with the National Institute Network, and a peak body organisation which is respected nationally and internationally.

Marangon reflected on his achievements during his time with Shooting Australia: “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead this sport and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. I leave knowing that the sport is in a great place and that its future is bright.”

“Perhaps more than anything else I am proud of how Shooting Australia now sees itself: as a professional and successful high-performing organisation.”

Marangon’s last day with Shooting Australia will be Friday 12 April 2019.

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Day two medals two! Natalie Smith and Glen McMurtrie have taken the bronze medal in the inaugural Rifle Standing Mixed Team at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club

“It’s an honour to be among the first medalists in a brand new WSPS event,” said McMurtrie when asked after the win.

“Our shooting seemed to complement each other and it was fun to work as a team.” said Smith about the bronze winning team. “I’m glad that it (the Rifle Standing Mixed Team event) will be kept in the program going forward.”

High Performance Team Manager Kurt Olsen also added: “This is a great result, showing what we can achieve as we work together and take on the rest of the world”

Action in Al Ain continues until 24 February, with live results available on World Shooting Para Sport’s website.

In a great start to the year for our Para Shooters Western Australian Anton Zappelli has taken the bronze medal in the R3 10m Air Rile Prone Mixed SHI on day one of the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

“I’m happy that all my hard work is starting to pay off,” said Zappelli when asked after the win.

High Performance Team Manager Kurt Olsen added: “This is a great start to the Al Ain World Cup. It gives us a great platform to build momentum for the rest of the week and then on to the World Championships in Sydney later this year.”

The Al Ain World Shooting Para Sport World Cup is an important chance for our athletes to secure qualification slots for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and will run run 16 to 24 February.

After a recruitment process generating national and international interest Shooting Australia has named Richard Sammon as Shotgun National Team Coach. “Richard is a well-established member of our Shotgun community and we are delighted with his appointment,” commented Shooting Australia High Performance Director Adam Sachs.

“Richard is a very genuine person with strong values and high integrity,” Sachs continued. “These assets, complemented by his passion for learning and helping others to learn, will make him an excellent leader of our Shotgun National Team.”

Sammon has already provided critical support to the Shotgun National Team at national camps and international events as an Assistant Coach, developing strong working relationships with the Shotgun athletes and their personal coaches.

“I am honoured and excited to lead our National Shotgun Team through the 2019 season and into the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” said Sammon. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to build on what is already a strong program with a group that has enormous potential.”

There will be little time to settle in, with the International Season kicking off in March 2019 with the first Shotgun World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico.

“The direction in which our Team is heading is very exciting and I can’t wait to get started helping our athletes achieve their goals leading into 2020,” observed the new coach. “Our focus for this year is attaining additional quota positions to add to the two quotas already secured at the 2018 World Championships in Changwon, South Korea.”

Sachs added, “With fewer than 18 months until the 2020 Olympic Games Richard and our athletes have important work to do. I am confident that Richard’s energy and professionalism, and the fantastic working relationships that he has already developed with the athletes and their personal coaches, are a strong foundation for the success of our Shotgun National Team in Tokyo next year.”