SA team dominates clay target shooting championships
Competing on a global stage, the Le Roux brothers turned heads with their performances, showcasing their hard work and progress in the sport.
South Africa’s Protea clay target shooting team made their mark at the Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC) Universal Trench World Championships in Australia.
The championship, held in late February, saw eight Protea shooters representing the country, competing against some of the world’s top athletes.
Among the standout performers were brothers Mason and Jaxon le Roux, who competed in the junior category. Mason finished sixth in the Junior Super Sixes and was the top South African in his category. He also secured a silver medal (second place) in the Beretta Cup world standings, carried over from the TAV Roma Italy 2025 competition.
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Jaxon also performed well, finishing 14th overall in the Junior category and sixth within the South African team. The event was a milestone for him, as he earned his Protea colours for the first time.
The senior team, made up of Quinten Smit, Jacques Botha, and Neil Haines, also delivered an outstanding performance. They won a bronze medal in the Senior Team event, helping South Africa secure a podium finish and showing the depth of talent across the country’s shooters.
Michelle dos Ramos, the marketing manager for the Clay Target Shooting Association of South Africa, congratulated the team on their performance and said the achievement was a big boost for the sport.
“This isn’t just a win for the team – it’s a huge boost for clay target shooting in SA. It shows our shooters are among the best globally,” she said, adding that it’s inspiring a new generation to pick up a shotgun and get involved in this sport.
“We are proud of the hard work and dedication. This achievement puts South African clay target shooting on the global map and paves the way for growth and development in the sport.”
South Africa has a strong history at these championships. At the 2023 championship, the national team won the Team Gold Medal, finishing ahead of Australia, Italy, and Great Britain. South African shooter Luca Peacock also took home the Individual World Championship title that year.
