Jamaica’s Sean Clacken outshot a big field to win the C Class in the 20-gauge category, after shooting a perfect 100 targets in the World Skeet Championships held recently in San Antonio, Texas.

He also won the Sub Senior category (40-49 years). His result placed him in the top 30 shooters overall.

The largest skeet shooting event featured over 700 gunners from all over the world who competed in various classes in the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA) event. Clacken was the only Jamaican competitor at the championships and he also posted creditable scores such as 131 out of 150 in the 12-gauge, 93 out of 100 in the 28-gauge, and 91 out of 100 in the 410-gauge. The latter result placed him second in the D Class.

“I was able to shoot 100 out of 100 in the 20-gauge tournament and win the C Class, and coming in the top 30 overall in the 20-gauge competition. The last time I went was 27 years ago, so it was a very fun experience going back and being able to achieve the goal that I wanted to achieve, which was to win one of the gauges — so I am very excited. Although I wasn’t planning on going again I think that I am going to be doing some more training to see if I can participate next year,” said Clacken.

Skeet used to be a popular form of shooting in Jamaica but sporting clays have taken over with many more of those events than skeet events. This did not deter Clacken from competing and doing well in the event.

“I think everything just came together — just the right time, my focus was very good that day. I was concentrating and it’s really a mental game, because in the game of skeet if you miss one bird you are out of it. The focus and everything just came together the one day,” Clacken added.

He was excited to return to the championships after 27 years and to win a class. He said the win made him feel “excited”, and added: “It is probably better than when I participated 27 years go. Twenty-seven years ago I shot 125 out of 125 (in the 20-gauge); It was my first time at any major competition. Knowing that I am not in the form that I was in back then, this win feels even better.”

Jordan Samuda, president of the Jamaica Skeet Club, was pleased with Clacken’s performance at the NSSA championships. He had high praises for Clacken, who returned to the island with a new 20-gauge gun which he received for wining the C Class.