James Galea Jr. triumphs in thrilling MSSF Trap Season Opener
James Galea Jr. secured a spectacular victory at the first Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) Trap Competition of 2026, held on Sunday, May 17. The event marked the launch of a five-part Trap series scheduled for this year, featuring Malta’s elite shooters battling through a grueling elimination format.
Galea Jr. and runner-up William Chetcuti both delivered standout performances, successfully achieving the MSSF minimum qualifying score (MQS). Galea Jr. claimed the top spot with an impressive final score of 118/125, while Chetcuti pushed him until the very last target to finish second with 117/125. Brian Galea completed the podium in third place overall with a score of 114/125.
Tournament Format and Early Rounds
The MSSF Trap tournament format tests both consistency and endurance. All participants start by shooting at 50 targets. Only the top 12 shooters advance to the next round of 50 targets, while the rest face immediate elimination. Following the 100-target mark, the field is cut in half again, leaving the top six athletes to fight for the podium over a final 25 targets.
James Galea Jr. set the benchmark early in the day, shooting a perfect 50/50 in the opening round.
Final Standings (After 125 Targets)
The pressure intensified in the final stages, but the top three kept their composure to lock in the podium positions:
- James Galea Jr. – 118/125 (MQS Achieved)
- William Chetcuti – 117/125 (MQS Achieved)
- Brian Galea – 114/125
- Ryan Bugeja – 111/125
- Gordon Caruana – 110/125
- Emmanuel Bugeja – 106/125
Category Leaders (After 50 Targets)
The competition also recognized top performers across different skill classes during the opening 50-target phase:
- Class A: James Galea Jr. (50/50), William Chetcuti (47/50), Brian Galea (46/50).
- Class B: Leetov Bonnici (46/50), Gordon Caruana (45/50), Shazen Grech (41/50).
- Class C: Frank Skorfna (37/50), John Marmara (35/50), Ryan Cini (34/50).
Next Event
The local shooting community now turns its attention to the next fixture on the calendar. The MSSF Trap Competition 75 (2) is scheduled for June 7, 2026, and will take place at the Malta National Shooting Ranges.
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