Dave Rose
Canberra Trap shooter Scottie Brydon set a world record in qualifying for the final of the PT1 Mixed Trap Seated final at the World Para Shooting Championships in Sydney but was unable to finish off his good work and had to settle for sixth place.
SSAA ambassador Brydon, 33, had high hopes of repeating his feat of 2018 when he clinched the world title in Lonato, Italy but was first to drop out in the decider. Earlier he posted a score of 113 points from 125 which bettered the previous high of 111. That probably saddled him with the mantle of favouritism but it was Italian Oreste Lai who landed gold by pipping Finland’s Juha Myllymaki in a shoot-off at Olympic Park.
Ironically, Lai was pipped by Brydon last year, the Italian turning the tables this time. Brydon was disappointed with the outcome but pleased with his overall performance. “It just wasn’t my day when it came to the final,” he said. “I was confident and felt good about everything but it wasn’t to be. Whether it was the added pressure I don’t really know.”
But Brydon applauded the efforts of his Italian rival. “I suppose it was a case of role reversal as I beat him last year on his home patch and now he’s done the same to me. It’s a good rivalry as we’re great friends and equally passionate about our sport.”
Brydon also soaked up the friendly bonhomie that has grown among the international band of shooters. “They’re a good group of people who get along really well around the shooting range which is how things should be,” he said. “It was great to have the world championships on home soil as it meant my parents, friends and family could come and watch. It’s just unfortunate I was first one out when we reached the final stage.”
Brydon can enjoy some breathing space between now and the end of the year but knows he has to be ready for his next assignment, the National Championships in Newcastle in January. “I’ll go away and train even harder and try to learn from any mistakes I think I may have made,” he said. “I’ll definitely be asking a few questions of myself. It’s back to the drawing board and keep working hard.”
His long-term goal is to represent Australia at Paralympic level if his shotgun discipline is recognised in future. “We’re not there yet but all the different disciplines compete at the same venues and the feedback and support we get from people shooting pistol and rifle is outstanding,” he said.