On Wednesday 7th April, British Shooting announced their team selections for the European Championships which will start in Osijek, Croatia on 20th May and finish 6th June. The athletes selected for the ISSF World Cup in Baku were also announced this week. Four Welsh athletes from a range of disciplines have been selected to represent Great Britain at these competitions.
Welsh Target Shooting Federation Performance Director John Dallimore MBE stated ‘After a difficult twelve months with the epidemic, it is deeply satisfying to see our athletes selected for these major World & European Championships.’
He also commented on the success of the elite sport return to training programs that have allowed selected athletes to train in COVID safe environments during the pandemic: ‘Our thanks to the Welsh Government, Sport Wales, Welsh Sports Association, and the Wales National Sports Group to enable these Elite athletes to train during the pandemic. Their performances over the last few months show that they are ready to perform at their best.’
Ben Llewellin (Men’s Skeet) has been selected for the ISSF World Cup events in Changwon, Lonato, Baku in addition to the European Championships. Commenting on the selections, Ben said ‘I am extremely happy to be selected for the upcoming competitions. Not having competitions for such a long period has been tough but looking forward to getting back into that regular competition environment and giving myself the best chance possible to medal at these events.‘
Sarah Wixey (Women’s Trap) will shoot for Great Britain at the ISSF Baku World Cup event from 21st June to 2nd July 2021. Sarah won a Bronze medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and stated ‘I am very pleased to have been selected to shoot as part of the GB Squad for the ISSF World Cup in Baku. Hopefully the event will go ahead despite the pandemic.‘
James Miller (Men’s Air Pistol) won a Silver medal at last year’s Junior European Championships and will be competing in the senior men’s 10m Air Pistol competition this year in Osijek. Commenting on his selection, James said ‘I am very proud to be selected to represent Great Britain and I am excited to compete as a senior for the first time at a major competition. I am very grateful for WTSF’s and the Sport Wales National Centre’s support in my training throughout the last year.’
Lewis Owen (Junior Men’s Trap) expressed his excitement to represent Great Britain and thanks for the facilities that have helped him develop ‘I’m overjoyed by my selection to compete in the European Championships (Croatia) on behalf of Great Britain. I would like to give a massive thank to the WTSF for all their endless support through what has been a very difficult year. I cannot express enough my gratitude for all their help in supporting my training with the new Olympic Trap layout at South Wales 2000. Which in no doubt has made a significant impact to my selection for a GB team.‘
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