Where there's a Willett, there's a way: James Willett has returned home with two World Cup gold medals and two world-record performances. Photo AAP.
Local shooter James Willett has returned home after a successful World Cup campaign in Europe and China, winning two gold medals and contributing to two world-record performances.
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Willett and Catherine Skinner claimed gold in the Mixed Trap event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup in Lonato, Italy, in mid-July.
The pair topped qualification with a combined score of 146 out of 150, including a perfect 75 targets from Willett.
They maintained their form in the final, with Skinner hitting all 20 targets as the Australians set a world-record Trap Mixed Team final score of 37 out of 40.
Three weeks later, Willett returned to the top of the podium at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, alongside Penny Smith.
Willet and Catherine Skinner celebrate their World Cup gold in Lonato, Italy.
Smith and Willett equalled the Mixed Team qualification world record with a near-perfect score of 149 out of 150, finishing first among 29 international teams before securing the gold medal.
Willett said it was a special way to finish five weeks of international competition.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Willett said the tour had provided valuable experience as he builds towards future international events.
Willett and Penny Smith on the winner’s podium in Hangzhou, China.
“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,” he said.
“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 in November, if selected, and the first Olympic quota events for Los Angelos (LA) in 2028.
“Individually I am also shooting well with high scores, but the standards are at a very high level during this new Olympic cycle.
“The sport has become even more professional in many of the bigger countries over recent years which has brought a new level of competition to these events.”
Willett thanked his personal coaches Russell Mark and Peter Wilson, Shooting Australia, coaches Tom and Renae, the Victorian Institute of Sport, his family and local sponsors and the community for their support.
Growing up on a farm in Mulwala, Willett began competitive clay target shooting at the age of 14 and trained at the Corowa Clay Target Club.
He has represented Australia at three Olympic Games, finishing fifth in Rio, competing in Tokyo and placing sixth in the men’s trap at Paris 2024.
Willett trains at his custom built Olympic-standard trap range on their family farm and will continue to strive to qualify for his fourth Olympics in LA.
Willett is supported by local sponsors Central Murray Bank, Hargreaves Secured Investments and Club Mulwala and Yarrawonga Toyota.
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