Chad Ziadie, Aliana McMaster ready to defend National Shotgun titles

Chad Ziadie and Aliana McMaster will be aiming to successfully defend their National Shotgun Championships titles this weekend at the lush Tru-Juice property in St Catherine when they compete in the 200 Bird Sporting Clays.

Ziadie picked up his second championship last year after winning his first in 2022. He was pleased with winning the 2024 title. “It feels good. I definitely worked for it. I came up short in 2023 to Christian Sasso so it was in my books to come back and regain my title. I worked hard with my coach Uncle Khaleel all year so it feels good to finish out the year on top.” He is the youngest repeat winner of the Jamaica Skeet Club’s National Shotgun Championship. He was 26 when he won it the first time.

The runner-up national shotgun champion was Christian Sasso who was a worthy challenger for the top spot after losing by just a few points. Sasso who is a multiple national shotgun champion was the 2023 winner.

National shotgun ladies champion Aliana McMaster was a repeat winner, having won it in 2023 as well.

“It’s a great pleasure to be able to have such a great achievement. Two years is crazy. I am incredibly grateful and thankful for all the support I had, all of the coaching, my parents, God, everything,” McMaster said after taking last year’s title.

McMaster distinguished herself by becoming the first female to make it to ‘A’ Class, as well as the first female to qualify for the Super Six in the 200 Bird shoot.

In addition to the national male and female shotgun champions, there are several class champions as well who will be seeking to be repeat winners. The 2024 class champions were: ‘A’ Class – Craig Simpson; ‘B’ Class – Brandon Laing; ‘C’ Class – Anthony Desnoes; ‘D’ Class – Cameron Lee; ‘E’ Class – Fraser McConnell; Hunters or Beginner’s Class – Tatrecia Mitchell; Juniors – Aliana McMaster; Seniors – Geoffrey Ziadie; Veteran – Robert Yap Foo and Super Veteran – Brett Thwaites.

The 17-station course competition will take place over two days with 100 targets today and the other 100 targets on Sunday. Competition begins at 9 a.m. each day.