James Willett and Laetisha Scanlan teamed up for the Trap Mixed Teams event at the ISSF World Championships in Osijek, Croatia on Thursday where they won the bronze medal for Australia.
The pair scored 142/150 in qualification tied with Slovenia and entering a shoot off, where the shot a further 4 targets to qualify in 5th position for the Bronze Medal Match.
The Bronze Medal Match was a close affair with the Aussies leading 3-1 at one point over Bulgaria, before finding themselves 5-3 down. They held their nerve and trusted their process bringing the score back to 5-5 meaning it was time for a sudden death shoot off.
Bulgaria started the shoot off hitting their first target but missed on the second. Willett stepped up first for Australia hitting his target, before Scanlan took aim, not letting the pressure of the moment affect her as she dispatched of the second target claiming the bronze medal for Australia.
Speaking on qualification, Scanlan said “Willett definitely carried the team today he shot amazing, 74/75 which was really really fantastic, I’m really happy to make the bronze medal match and come away with the bronze.”
Speaking on the final Willett added “We ran it all the way out, it came down to a shoot off and we managed to get away with the first one so it was good.”
Tomorrow, Willett and Scanlan will be in action in the Trap Team Women event with Willett teaming up with Nathan Argiro and Thomas Grice, whilst Scanlan will team up with Catherine Skinner and Penny Smith.
Speaking on preparing for the Trap Team Women tomorrow, Scanlan said “I think a big sleep, it’s been a long campaign. Normally we don’t shoot qualification for the individuals over 3 days so it feels like an extra day but I think a good feed and a good night’s rest and we can come back out tomorrow refreshed and ready to rocket.”
