After reaching the Olympic final James Willett successfully came away from the Paris Games as the world number one trap shooter.
Local Olympian shooter James Willett has returned home from the Paris Olympics ready to take on the next challenge of his incredible shooting career with his sights firmly set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
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Willett successfully came away from the Paris Olympics as the world number one trap shooter and will look to compete in his fourth Olympics in 2028.
His sixth place in the Paris Olympic final at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre was Australia’s best finish in the event in over a decade since Michael Diamond finished fourth in London.
Willet told the Chronicle he was pleased with the way he shot after very high scoring in the qualifiers.
“It was different to the Tokyo Games, I remember walking out on the first day of competitions and the grandstands were packed,” Willett said.
“You felt your heart rate instantly go up, and that feeling of everyone watching you, which I hadn’t really experienced since the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
“The range was one of the best we have shot on, they set it up really well, which probably explains the high scores.”
Willett had qualified for the Olympic final in brilliant fashion, missing just two of his 125 targets to rank him third in the field.
In a cut throat first round of the final, Willett misfired early putting great pressure on himself to avoid being eliminated.
James Willett competing in the men's trap final at the Paris Olympics on July 30 in Chateauroux, France. AP Photo.
Photo by
Manish Swarup
“Missing early, put the pressure on from the start and I just couldn’t recover enough, and the over guys were not missing enough to catch them back up,” he said.
“I was glad I was competitive, but unfortunately, it wasn’t my day in the final.
“To win an Olympic Games you have to be shooting great in that moment, I was shooting good but not great in that important hour time bracket.”
But despite the early elimination in the final Willett was happy with his overall performance.
“If you look back on it, to make an Olympic final in any sport, you have had a successful games,” Willett said.
The 28-year-old admitted that it hurts a bit to not win a medal but has now found renewed motivation.
“I’ll use that motivation and look forward to Los Angeles now and then the home games in Brisbane.
“The plan for me doesn’t change too much, most of the medallists are in their late thirties, even early forties, so I’ll keep going.”
Willett said the hardest challenge going forward is balancing work with his sport to stay at the top.
“I’m competing against professional athletes, mainly from Europe, who get paid full time to do the sport.
“But I have been very fortunate with Kennedy Builders to be able to find that balance.”
Willett said the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which is likely to be in Glasgow, is still a possibility depending on it being on the schedule.
“It was excluded in Glasgow last time, but we hope it is included this time,” he said
“We will see what happens, but It’s been a great couple of years.
“I was happy with how I adapted; I think I’ve done everyone proud and have had great support back home too.
“I’m looking forward to what’s ahead now.
“To come away from the Olympics as world number one it shows that I have had a competitive year.”
Willett has been selected to compete in the World Cup final in October at New Delhi, which includes the top 12 world-ranked athletes for the year, including the Paris Olympic medallists.
But that was not the only good news Willett announced since returning from Paris as he and partner Amy are expecting their first child early next year.
“It is very exciting, we waited to announce it until I got back (from Paris) as it was a bit early before the Olympics.”
Willet said the community support has been fantastic.
“I am appreciative of the support from Kennedy Builders, the Central Murray Credit Union, Yarrawonga Toyota and Hargreaves Solicitors. Many people sent me messages, it has been amazing.
“It’s good to involve people in the journey, and even inspire kids coming through, there is a lot to take out of it that way.”
The 15-time World Cup medallist, nicknamed the "Green Machine did Australia and the Yarrawonga Mulwala community proud in Paris and no doubt will be shooting to be a strong contender at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
