Olympic Champion Wilson announces shooting retirement

Olympic champion Peter Wilson announced his retirement from competitive shooting today but believes he’s leaving on a high after a hugely successful career.

The 28-year-old last represented Britain at the Al Ain World Cup in 2013, where he won gold, but has since focussed attentions elsewhere, including acting as coach for young GB shooter James Dedman.

Wilson’s victory in the double trap event is one of the iconic moments from London 2012 and was Team GB’s fourth gold of the Games and first Olympic shooting medal in 12 years.

In addition to Olympic gold, Wilson’s impressive career also saw his reach top spot in the world rankings as well as still being the current double trap world record holder.

The Dorset man expressed his interest in staying within the shooting and leaves competing himself behind with the satisfaction of achieving all he wanted in the sport.

“Since having achieved the goals I set myself (World Record, World Number One, and Olympic Gold) I have struggled to find a new incentive to compete,” said Wilson.

“I am still passionate about all forms of shooting and will always be ready to do what I can to promote it to a wider audience.

“Olympic Double Trap has been very good to me and I am very grateful to everyone who has had a hand in my success but I would rather go out now, at the top after my most recent success in Al Ain and move on to the next challenge.”