George Papachristoforos, a Grade 6 student from St Johns College, recently started his competitive shooting career in June when he turned 12.
Since then, George, who is this year’s junior school sports captain, has competed in all the three disciplines, Sporting, Trap and Skeet.
George decided to focus on the American skeet discipline and mostly trains at his home ground Werribee Clay Target Club.
On August 11 he competed at the Cecil Park Clay Target Club in Sydney, winning his first handicap event against Australia’s top shooters.
There he earned his first 100 target break badge and set the record for the youngest person to shoot 100 straight in registered competition in Australia
From then on, he has been training every weekend to further his craft.
On the weekend of October 26, George competed at the Tasmanian State Skeet Carnival winning the 20-gauge State Skeet Championship with a score of 50/50.
He followed up with a strong performance in windy conditions winning the Overall Open State High Gun (beating all open competitors over the weekend event), and then the Junior High Gun (beating all junior competitors).
George is now the youngest person to win an Australian state title and is graded at the highest level in American skeet shooting, AA0, in both singles and doubles.
All this at just 12 years old, in a sport that takes some adults decades to master and move through the grades.
When asked by Neos Kosmos what he likes most about skeet shooting, George said “the part I like the most is the adrenalin I get from smashing clay targets.”
He said he is proud of his achievements but deep down knows he can achieve a lot more.
As for what’s next?
“It would be great to travel the world representing my sport, my country, and my culture.”
George enjoys being your average 12-year-old kid, training in karate twice a week and riding his bike.
He is proud of his European heritage, evident by what is sewn on the back of his competition vest.
The Greek, Italian and Australian flags, a reminder of his heritage.
He has personalised his firearm with the words “Molon labe” (come and take [them]) across the barrels, a Greek phrase credited to Leonidas I of Sparta on the eve of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC.
George also often tells the story of King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans to fellow competitors.
George continues to work towards building his skills and representing Australia in future events, including the 2028 and 2032 Olympic Games.
