Sport

Tokyo 2020: Team Ireland profiles - Derek Burnett (Shooting)

Veteran marksman will compete at record equalling fifth Games

Derek Burnett is Ireland’s most decorated shooter. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Derek Burnett is Ireland’s most decorated shooter. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Ian O'Riordan
Sat Jul 17 2021 - 02:30

Age: 51

Event: Men's Trap

Already Ireland's most decorated shooter, Burnett will be competing in his fifth Olympic Games, a feat only matched by two other athletes, Rob Heffernan (Race Walker) and David Wilkins (Sailor). The 51-year-old Longford man made his debut in the Sydney Games in 2000 and has competed in every Games bar Rio 2016 since. His highest Olympic finish was joint ninth in Athens in 2004. Ireland received a re-allocated spot in men's trap thanks to Burnett's own qualifying score of 121.

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Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics