Fifteen-year-old Nicholas Chen clipped his competitors during the shoot-off segment of the NCB Capital Markets Junior Sporting Clays Nationals at the Jamaica Skeet Club in Portmore on Sunday, after scoring 95 out of 100 in the main event which equalled the record set by Chad Ziadie in the inaugural staging last year.

The Hillel Academy student shot a total of 118 birds emerging as the competition’s High Overall All (HOA) winner following the shoot-off segment, which also included his colleagues Richard Azan (114), the defending champion, and Daniel Schwapp (112).

“It was a tough course and a very intense session,” Chen said, “but I managed to keep focused and do my best.”

Other young marksmen who gave impressive showings were Adam Ziadie (89) in the 17-19 age group and Brandon Heitmann (90) and Zachary Harris (89), who placed second and third, respectively, in the Junior category.

Sub-junior Brandon Reid (82) got the top nod in his category with Andrew Azan (82) and Tristan Delisser (76) coming in second and third, respectively.

The event saw approximately 60 juniors aged 10-19 participating between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

A new record was broken for the 10 -12 category with Richard Lechler (82) emerging as winner followed by Zach Lazarus (79) and Nickolai Clarke (76).

The Beginners segment or Class Two was won by Reuben Mair (76) followed by David Shoucair (72) and Manley Liu (65).

Deryck Gibson (22/25) won the Class One with D’Andre Simpson (18) and Joseph Rousseau (16) placing second and third, respectively.

“The Junior Nationals exposes our teenagers to the pressures of competition which is an integral part of their training,” Jamaica Skeet Club president Brett Thwaites told the Observer.

“Steely focus and steady nerves is the backbone of champions. Our commitment to the next generation is unwavering,” he said, pointing out that the club has ordered special machinery that when put in place will ensure greater adherence to international standards.

Thwaites also lauded the work NCB Capital Markets has been doing in the clay shooting arena.

“NCB Capital Markets’ commitment to junior shooting is commendable and demonstrates their belief in the generation of the future,” he said.

Shotgun shooting coach Khaleel Azan also praised the sport for having provided his teenagers with a “surge of confidence that has spilled over in their daily lives”.

“Our programme goes beyond shooting, and NCB Capital Markets has introduced an investment and money-management seminar titled Young, Wealthy and Wise for our juniors. This is an important step in our kids establishing a sound financial education.”