From Mooroopna to Dubai: Xavier Russell rises to number one in world clay target shooting rankings

On the cusp of his 21st birthday, Russell was recently ranked junior world number one in sporting clay target shooting by world body FITASC Sporting.

After picking up a number of first placings at the Asian Championships in Thailand in November, Russell’s ranking soared to top spot.

It wasn’t until the new year that he discovered his latest achievement.

“It was the second of January and they posted the rankings for the year online,” Russell said.

“It’s a pretty nice feeling, I didn’t celebrate too much, but I had a glass of champagne with Mum and Dad.”

An action-packed 2022 had Russell compete at various internationally-recognised events across the globe.

In July, Russell flew the flag for Australia at the FITASC Sporting World Championships in Orvieto, Italy.

He competed at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand in April and was jet-setting again only a few months later for the Asian Championships in Thailand.

Last year marked a major return to competition for Russell after the COVID-19 pandemic dashed much of his 2020 sporting calendar.

But beyond that, his rise to junior world number one has been meteoric since taking up the sport when he was 14.

Russell placed third in the junior category at the 2019 World English Sporting Championships in Ireland and a week later claimed another bronze medal when the Australian junior team placed third at the World Championships in England, where he placed 11th in the individual competition.

In 2020, Russell won two championships in different disciplines in New Zealand and became the junior champion at the Australian Sporting Clays Association Grand Prix, also claiming fifth overall in the open section.

In 2021, he was inducted into Greater Shepparton’s Sports Hall of Fame Junior Honour Roll for his remarkable list of accomplishments.

Unlike most kids, Russell wasn’t drawn to the mainstream sports of football, cricket and basketball.

It was the sport that his grandfather loved that ultimately Russell fell in love with and it wasn’t long before the young star uncovered a competitive edge that motivates him every day.

“I never really got into football or cricket from a young age,” Russell said.

“My granddad was a keen shooter all his life, he got me into it and we’d go out once a month when I was 14 to do a bit of practice together.

“It’s the competition that I enjoy; I really like shooting, but it’s the competitive side of it that keeps me going and motivates me to keep getting better and better.”

If recent performances are anything to go by, it won’t be long before the skilled 20-year-old steps onto the highest stage of the podium.

Aside from the titles and accolades, shooting has also afforded Russell the opportunity to travel the world.

He will celebrate his 21st birthday in the United Arab Emirates next month, when he competes in Dubai at the Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championships.

“Shooting has taken me to a lot of places along the journey,” Russell said.

“Competing in Italy was pretty special, the whole experience of going over there and experiencing a new culture was great.

“I’ve made a lot of friends through shooting, overseas as well, especially in America when we went over there and to Thailand late last year — it’s an awesome experience and everyone is really friendly from all the countries we’ve been to.”

Although Russell has scaled to the pinnacle of junior rankings, as far as he’s concerned, he’s only just getting started.

“My parents asked me where I wanted to go with it when I was younger and I told them I want to represent Australia and go to the world titles,” Russell said.

“My big goal is to win a world title, I’m not quite there yet, hopefully one day.

“The world ranking is nice, but it doesn’t compare to actually winning a world title.

“That’s the ultimate goal.”

Russell will compete at the Fujairah Mountain Shooting Championship in Dubai from February 6-11.