Representing South Africa in Clay Pigeon Shooting

Ethan Shahim (grade 10) qualified for National Protea Colours for Clay Pigeon Shooting, the discipline that he shoots is known as Sporting. Competitions are shot over one or two days and comprise of 100 (1 day) or 200 (2 days) targets. 

Trialist have to shoot six national competitive events, throughout South Africa (Cape Town, KZN, Free State, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo). To qualify for SA Protea Colours, the Junior shooter has to shoot 87% of the top gun score, in four separate trials. Ethan placed in the top six (juniors and seniors, in all trials bar one) and was the top junior, only one other Junior qualified. Ethan was selected to compete in the USA in the World English Sporting Championships in April, in Florida USA, as part of the SA Junior Protea Team. To be awarded your colours, is similar to playing a rugby test match, you only get awarded your cap / colours once you run onto the field. Ethan had to represent South Africa in a international competition, but only qualified for his green blazer after he fired the first shot.

Ethan placed 11th, at the World English Sporting Championships in the USA, and had a wonderful experience, the competition was very stiff and the quality and difficulty of the clays presented was something he had not seen or experienced before.

On his return to South Africa, Ethan was contacted by Blaser, Germany, a manufacturer of one of the best competition shotguns in the world. They asked Ethan to be the African Blaser Junior Ambassador, and have offered him a five year sponsorship and have given him their top end F3 Sporting competition gun to compete with. Ethan will be competing in another World Championship in Cape Town in October. This is the first time SA has been awarded the opportunity to host a World Sporting Championship Clay target event.

Congratulations Ethan!