The Mulwala-based Deniliquin Clay Target Club member finished first in the recent International Shooting Sport Federation Nationals that were held through multiple trap shooting events earlier this year.
Only two men will make the eventual Olympic team, which was due to be announced publicly in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Unfortunately that wasn’t the case with the Australian Olympic Committee selection panel unable to meet because of Coronavirus restrictions.
Willett said finishing where he did should put him in a good position for selection despite the delayed announcement.
‘‘All of the selection events were finished before restrictions were applied to the events where I finished first,’’ he said.
‘‘The next step is for the Australian Clay Target Association to put forward its recommendations to the AOC.
‘‘Finishing where I did will put me in with a good chance for re-selection where I will hopefully compete in ISSF Men’s Trap at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
‘‘It will be unusual to know the team going to the Olympics a year and a half in advance, where we normally just have six months.
‘‘It means we will get more time to prepare.’’
If selected for Tokyo, it will be his second Olympics’ appearance after competing at Rio in 2016, where Willett finished fifth overall in double trap.
With competitions on the ACTA circuit being cancelled for the foreseeable future, the trap shooter will have plenty of time to practice in isolation.
‘‘I’ve actually just finished the upgrades to what is now a full Olympic track range at my farm.
‘‘Previously it didn’t accommodate for the fast paced trap that will be at next year’s Olympics.
‘‘I’m very lucky to have a world class facility in my backyard. It will help me continue to train during this worldwide pandemic.
‘‘It will let me do what I need to do to stay in tune. I have enough clays and rounds to last me until the end of isolation which is a bonus, since you can’t get any more recreational ammunition or guns due to restrictions and business closures.’’
In his career so far, Willett has earned 13 medals overall — seven gold and three each of silver and bronze.
He was also a member of the Australian team at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, where he placed sixth in the double trap.
Willett was preparing for a quiet 2021, however with the Olympics being followed by the Commonwealth Games in 2022, he suspects next year will be the contrary to what he planned.
‘‘Next year I was going to take it a bit easy but that’s no longer the case.
‘‘Right after Tokyo, we will have six months turnaround before we compete in India for the Commonwealth Games.’’
Willett said he has developed strong relationships with other competitors during international tournaments, and from what he has learned it should be a level playing field for Tokyo preparations and competition.
‘‘Shooting has a broad age group and it’s a unique sport that gives us plenty of time to chat between events.
‘‘I’ve built good friendships from around the world and have heard they are in a similar situation with competitions for 2020 being cancelled.’’