Peter Wilson, the legendary double trap marksman, has showcased interest in the Indian team coaching job and wants to train the shooters for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. The 37-year-old from Great Britain, recently guided his country-mate Nathan Hales to a trap gold in the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024. Wilson was the youngest to win a gold medal in the double trap at the London Olympics 2012. He also holds the world record in double trap and took up shooting after a snow-boarding accident left hm unable to pursue cricket.
“I have e-mailed my CV to the National Rifle Association of India and am waiting to hear from them,” Wilson told PTI from UK. Wilson began his coaching with the Great Britain team in trap after the double trap was removed from the Olympic curriculum. He coached Nathan to win gold with an Olympic-record-breaking performance and end a 12-year-long wait for the country in the event.
Peter Wilson applies for coaching post
“I want to work with the senior team to prepare them for the LA Games and the juniors to prepare them for the next 8-12 years,” said Wilson, adding that he only aims for “success” and nothing less.
Wilson was asked if it would be a challenge coming to terms with the setup in India, to which he categorically said “there shouldn’t be any problem”.
He added that, for him, the continental championships such as the “Asian Games, the World Cups, World Championships, among others are a stepping stone towards the ultimate aim of winning an Olympic medal” and he would strive for that.
No foreign shooting coach for India
Wilson has been honoured with the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and has been coached by the great Ahmad Al Maktoum, who is a 2004 Athens Olympics gold medallist in double trap. India’s Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had finished second behind Al Maktoum in Athens to win a silver medal in shooting for the country.
Most of the shooters competed at the Paris Olympics 2024 with the help of personal coaches as India does not have a trap coach yet. Italy’s Marcello Dradi was the last trap coach the Sports Authority of India and NRAI had hired.