James Willett

Biography

James Willett, hailing from the rural expanses of Mulwala, New South Wales, found his passion for clay shooting at an early age. Introducing himself to the sport through school, James quickly honed his skills at the Corowa Clay Target Club. By 2015, he was already making waves in the double trap discipline on the global stage.

In his debut international season, James shot a junior world record at his first World Cup, narrowly missing out on a medal. His momentum didn't stop there; he secured an Olympic quota spot at the 2015 Oceania Championships and clinched his first World Cup victory at the Rio 2016 test event.

James's inaugural Olympic appearance in Rio saw him break a new Olympic record in qualifying and finish an impressive fifth. He bounced back later that year to win the World Cup final, besting USA's Jeffrey Holguin. Further accolades followed, with James securing top spots at various World Cups and the Commonwealth Games.

James’s persistence and dedication to the sport paid off immensely in 2019 when he equaled the world record and achieved a No.1 ranking. His partnership with Laetisha Scanlan in mixed trap events brought further golds at the 2019 World Championships and multiple World Cups.

Tokyo 2020 was another milestone, where he showed resilience, finishing 21st in the men’s trap and 7th in the mixed team trap. Under the guidance of Olympic gold medallist Russell Mark, James continued to thrive, securing numerous podium finishes in international competitions through 2022 and 2023.

As he heads to Paris 2024, James shows no signs of slowing down, consistently demonstrating his prowess and earning accolades globally. His journey from a young farm boy to a world-class shooter is a testament to his unwavering dedication and skill.