By Anwen Francis

FARMER'S son, 16-year-old Ll?r James of Capel Iwan has astounded the Clay Pigeon Shooting world by becoming International DTL Junior Champion despite having only been clay shooting since April of last year with Carmarthen Clay Pigeon Shooting Club.

At the 81st ICTSC Down The Line Home Countries International Tournament and British Open Championships held at the Bishops Mountain Shooting Centre in Co Kilkenny, Ireland over the weekend, the first day saw him gaining a terrific score of 293 out of 300, and hit 99 clays out of 100 to be awarded the Welsh Junior High Gun Award, the Junior High Gun of Match and the New Cap Wales High Gun – and he's only been competing in the sport for just over two months!

With the support of his mum and dad, Ann and Richard, the family spent three days in Ireland with the Welsh team after Ll?r had qualified to represent his country having competed in four qualifiers across Wales earlier in the year.

"I've always enjoyed shooting and shoot crows, pigeons and rabbits every day on the farm and I've been doing that since I was around eight years old, so I've had lots of practice over the years.

"I wanted to improve my shooting so decided to join the Carmarthen Clay Pigeon Shooting Club for more practice," explained Ll?r, a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, Llandysul.

Ll?r, who was received donations of £175 from Carmarthenshire County Council for his travelling costs and £100 from Cenarth Community Council for his clothing and equipment, competed against 20 other junior clay pigeon shooting competitors from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and England over a duration of three days.

On the first day he competed in the International competition where he went into a shoot off with 18 year old Irish shooter Daniel O'Hara to win the coveted title. The second day, he competed in the British Open with a final score of 291 points and the final day saw him competing in the Sponsored Competition with a score of 295.

"I practice every day and by now I have a natural shot. I know the distance and the speed required and how far to shoot in front of a moving target but I still didn't expect to win and I was shocked!" explained a delighted Ll?r.

His proud parents were also shocked, yet over the moon with the result.

"To go out there at 16 years old and to win a cap and return triumphant was a bonus!" said his mum, Ann who added that Ll?r finished with the second highest points in the International in the Welsh Team across all sections – from the ladies, veterans, super veterans and seniors.