Nineteen-time world shooting (sporting clays) champion Ben Husthwaite has been in Jamaica since Sunday on a special assignment to prepare professional shooters for the upcoming US Nationals between October 23-30.

The sessions will continue until Sunday. All the sessions will be taught on an individual basis in order to deal specifically with the issues identified as needing improvement. All sessions are scheduled for the Jamaica Skeet Club in Portmore with classes beginning at 9:00 am.

According to Khaleel Azan, former president of the Jamaica Skeet Club, 12 shooters will represent Jamaica at the tournament. Some of them include Jordan Samuda, secretary of the Jamaica Skeet Club, who had his session with Husthwaite on Tuesday; 2017 Ladies Champion Wendy McMaster; circuit and rally racer Jeffrey Panton, Leighton Sasso, vice-president of the club; as well as Immediate Past President Khaleel Azan. Other shooters include Ricki Duquehany, Bruce Duquehany, Ray McMaster, Damion Moo, Andrew Hopwood, and Alex Cummingham.

Jordan Samuda said that his performance improved by up to 30 per cent each time after sessions with Hustwaite. He has had three sessions since Husthwiate has been coming to Jamaica to train shooters.

In addition to dealing with individual issues of the shooters, Hustwaite will also be focusing on target setting, new equipment to use in competition, and new methods of shooting.

Last year Jamaica ended in fourth spot, ahead of countries like Italy and other well-known shooting powerhouse countries.

The Jamaicans are expected to do well in the championship again with Husthwaite’s guidance.

Husthwaite, who talks glowingly about Jamaica, has been here on at least 17 occasions (overstaying his first visit by eight weeks). The word Jamaica is tatooed on his arm and the Jamaica Skeet Club logo is on his back.