Youngest shotgun champion in history, proud
Ziadie, McMaster bag national titles
Published:Wednesday | November 2, 2022 | 12:10 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
THIRD-GENERATION SHOOTER Chad Ziadie is beaming with joy after he created history at the 2022 National Shotgun Championships at the Grand Port Royal Hotel on the weekend.
With his win, the 26-year-old became the youngest ever national shotgun champion.
Ziadie earned the place in history following dominant performances in the super sporting, 5-stand, fitasc and 200 target sporting clays and labelled the victory – a dream come true.
“It’s everything that I’ve ever dreamt of, I envisioned myself winning this (national title) from I was young and always wanted to win it. My grandfather won it, my father was runner-up, so as a third-generation shooter in the family, it really means a lot to have been able to pull this off, especially being the youngest ever to do so,” said Ziadie.
Ziadie, who topped the field in the 5-stand category and finished second in the Fitasc and 200 target sporting clays, also registered a runner-up spot in the super sporting category.
The victory was tough.
“This year was definitely tough. Tt was a challenge to keep my focus, especially on the last two days and the pressure from other competitors was definitely there, so I had to keep my head down and finish the task that I started back in January,” said Ziadie.
Over on the female side of the National Championships, Wendy McMaster, with her first-place finish in the super shooting event, and second- place finishes in the 5-stand and Fitasc category continued her dominance in the sport as the victory ensured that she was winning her fifth straight national title.
“For me it’s a major achievement. I feel honoured, because I’ve held the title for five years straight and it wasn’t easy, so I’m very proud of myself and now with my daughter being my main competitor, I’m still happy because it’s still in the family,” she said.
The level of competitiveness was highlighted in the 5-stand category as Wendy had to play second fiddle to her 15-year-old daughter, Alianna, something she admits to having mixed feelings about.
“To be competing with her (Alianna) now is not easy because, one, you want to be happy for her and in the same breath, you don’t want her to beat you,” said a laughing McMaster.
“It’s really amazing to see her have that talent so early and grasping the sport. With Alianna in the mix now, I do support her fully and encourage her to do the right things, they are kids so they don’t take the sport as seriously until they make a mistake and it costs them on the day,” she said.