A double burst of gunfire echoes over the countryside of Malta. There is no extraneous noise except for the occasional whisper or frowned upon ringing of a smartphone. A host of sparrows takes flight in an attempt to avoid annihilation shortly after the echoes subside. However, they are not the target of hunters today. Instead, it is clay pigeons that represent the most prized trophy of the day, the title of champion of the small states of Europe.
By Matt Nelsen
The shooters taking aim at the Malta National Shooting Ranges are competing in an event known as double trap. An event where two clay pigeons are launched into the air at the same time, often in opposing directions, with shooters being asked to hit both targets before they inevitably smash into the manicured turf. It is a test of precision, timing, and nerve. One that has disappeared from the Olympic Games.
“This was my game before,” explained Maltese Olympian William Chetcuti. “Now, I am shooting trap. I don’t know why they dropped it from the Olympics. It was fun, not only for me, but even for the supporters. They love double trap.” The event was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1996. It was present at every subsequent edition until Tokyo 2020. However, it was only open to men, thus putting the unique shotgun test at odds with the International Olympic Committee’s emerging policy of gender equality among events.
Nonetheless, the event was reintroduced to the Games of the Small States of Europe by local organizers. “It was very important for us,” confirmed Malta Shooting Sport Federation President Francis Pace. “Malta has very good shooters in double trap. We have ex-Olympians. We even have shooters who were very close to winning a medal at the Olympics as well. It was truly a shame that it has been removed from the Olympics. Hopefully, we are trying to reintroduce it slowly. I hope the IOC will start thinking about integrating double trap again in the Olympic Games.”
Malta’s pedigree in the event was on full display at the Games of the Small States of Europe. Maltese shooters came first and second in the event, which was won by Matthew Grech. “I’m feeling very happy,” said a pleased Grech. “I shot very well from the beginning of the competition, and I kept the result until the end.”
Likewise, his compatriot William Chetcuti was happy to be able to compete in front of family and friends. He told Discover the Games that he would not have been able to enjoy such a long career in the sport without their support. “This competition is not as strong as the Olympics for sure, but it’s tough because this is in my country. You need to do the best. The Olympics have a lot of pressure as well, but you are alone and can just focus on your targets. Here, it was tough because it was one round of six [shooters] all the time, from the beginning. It was like four finals.”
The outcome of the event was welcomed joyously by local supporters. Malta Shooting Sport Federation President Francis Pace speaks about the importance of the sport to Malta: “Shooting, in general, is a tradition in Malta. We have a lot of hunters. In the old days, they used to hunt birds. Obviously, in today’s world everything has declined, so clay target shooting is the second option for shooting.”
The country’s support isn’t limited to admiration or appreciation either, the government has made a real investment in the sport. “The government have invested quite a lot, even on infrastructure and technical programs for the athletes,” confirmed Pace. “We have been funded heavily for the past few years so the athletes compete in international competitions. I believe the strategy is working out because the level of shooting has increased a lot.”
Malta has never won a medal at the Olympic Games. However, shooters like William Chetcuti have provided the country with much optimism. It remains to be seen if that optimism and a deep investment in the sport will one day be rewarded. For now, the country will have to make do with the title of best amongst the smallest in the world of shotgun shooting.