After years away from the summit, Shaun Barnes once again rose to the pinnacle of Jamaican shooting, capturing his seventh national title at the 2025 Motul National Shotgun Championship.
The championship, spread across several months and four challenging disciplines—5-Stand, FITASC, Super Sporting, and Sporting Clays—culminated in Barnes lifting the coveted trophy with a total of 434 birds out of 500.
Barnes’ brilliance shone brightest in 5-Stand (91) and FITASC (95), both of which he topped. His 85 in Super Sporting placed him among the top 10, while his 163 in the final Sporting Clay showdown secured his long-awaited return to the winner’s podium.
“It’s a really good feeling,” Barnes admitted. “I have been putting my efforts into spreading my talents through coaching, and it is good now to be finally back on the podium.”
He credited his resurgence to shifting focus inward:
“As a coach, I have to pay attention to what my students are doing. But once I was separated from them, I got the opportunity to focus on myself for the past couple of weeks. I think that’s what gave me the championship this year.”
Former champion Christian Sasso pressed hard but finished six shots back with 426 birds to secure the runner-up spot.
McMaster’s triple triumph
On the Ladies side, Aliana McMaster reinforced her dominance, claiming her third consecutive title with a commanding tally of 410 birds. Her consistency across all events—82 in 5-Stand, 87 in FITASC, 88 in Super Sporting, and 153 in Sporting Clays—left her rivals in the dust.
Her mother, former champion Wendy McMaster, showcased the family’s shooting pedigree by finishing second with 359.
Aliana, beaming with pride, reflected on her triumph:
“Honestly, I couldn’t imagine the feeling until it happened. You focus on so many things and really try to achieve your goals, and when you’re able to go after what you want and overcome all your challenges, it’s a phenomenal feeling I can’t even describe.”
She described the grueling path to victory:
“You have to go through three sub-events before coming into the final 200-bird match. That means shooting consistently well in FITASC, 5-Stand, and Super Sporting just to stay in contention. It’s a lot of pressure, a lot of consistency required, and over several months it takes a lot out of you. To come out on top—it’s just a great feeling.”
Class champions recognized
The championship also crowned class winners across divisions: A Class – Chad Ziadie (424), B Class – Andrew Azan (363), C Class – Brian Kong (385), D Class – Max Williams (370), E Class, Ladies, and Juniors – Aliana McMaster (410), Sub-Juniors – Rheis McMaster (329), Hunters/Beginners – Rueben Carillo (278).
Skeet club celebrates growth
Justin Samuda, President of the Jamaica Skeet Club, praised the championship’s success and the invaluable support of title sponsor Motul, represented by Lubit Performance motor oil, also known for powering racing star Sarah Misir.
“Nothing happens without the sponsor and we can’t thank them enough,” Samuda said. “They’ve been with us all the way. The Jamaica Skeet Club is fortunate to have a very young, dynamic management committee. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of ideas, and the sport is alive and well.”
He noted the record turnout at this year’s championship, calling it the largest in recent memory—a testament to both the club’s efforts and the growing enthusiasm for the sport.
The championship ended with a celebration of precision, resilience, and passion. For Barnes, it was a story of rediscovery and redemption; for McMaster, it was a continuation of dominance. Together, they embodied the spirit of Jamaica’s shooting community—one built on tradition, consistency, and the pursuit of excellence.
