Chad Ziadie and Wendy McMaster were crowned national shotgun champions (NSC) recently at the Grand Port Royal Hotel, formerly Morgan’s Harbour Hotel.

They, along with the many shooters who competed in the numerous events that make up the championship, were very happy to be officially awarded their championships. The disciplines that make up the National Shotgun Championship are Super Sporting, 5 Stand, Fitasc, and 200 Target Sporting Clays.

Ziadie was very happy with his first NSC win. “It’s a dream come true. I have envisioned myself winning this award from I was at a young age — my grandfather won it, my dad has been pretty close…so it’s just great to keep it in the family. I am the third generation in my family to win this award, so it’s just a dream come true,” he said.

Ziadie won the 5 Stand, was runner-up in the 200 Target Sporting Clays after a very competitive Super Six shoot-off, and was second in A class of the Super Sporting event. He took home the J C Thwaites Crystal.

At 26 Ziadie is the youngest shooter to be crowned national shotgun champion.

Ray McMaster was the runner-up national shotgun champion and he bagged the Hugh Croskery Cup.

Wendy McMaster topped the ladies for the National Shotgun Ladies Championship and is now the five-time national champion. She won the Super Sporting event, came second to daughter Aliana in 5 Stand, placed second in Fitasc to Lori-Anne Harris, and was another second to daughter Aliana in the 200 Target Sporting Clays.

Other class champions were Shawn Barnes, Craig Davis, Brandon King, Richard Todd, Matthew Grant, Lukas Thompson, David Wong, and Lori-Anne Harris.

Sub-junior champion Harris, at 14 years, was happy for her win at the awards.

“I really enjoy the competitiveness of the sport and being part of a team and pushing myself to do things that I have tried to do or can’t do. I have learned to control my emotions like when I don’t hit a shot I am supposed to compose myself and reset,” she said.

Ian Banks, the new president of the Jamaica Skeet Club, was pleased with the proceedings. “It was a lovely evening and a chance to congratulate all our winners of the national shotgun championships for 2022,” he said.

Nicholas Benjamin of Beryllium, the event sponsor and himself a shooter, said: “We believe the opportunity that the Jamaica Skeet Club gives its members and, in particular, to juniors through its tournaments are very important to their learning, their growth, and heir development not just as athletes but as people.”