Hot shot AJ Smith. DA5681P2.CLAY pigeon champion AJ 'Smoker' Smith has yet again led the Great British team to victory at the European Championships, writes Joanna Snell.

The Stapleford sharp shooter blasted his way out of retirement in 2003 to bag three major veteran titles, but decided to go one step further this year and try for the British team.

Little did AJ, whose full name is Anthony John, realise that he would be leading the team after a rigorous selection procedure firmly re-established him as British number one.

"Having won the veterans and all the titles that went with it last year, to give me some kind of challenge I thought I would try for the British team," explained the 57-year-old.

"I thought I might be good enough to scrape by, but I got back in as number one!"

Three weeks ago AJ led the team to their first win in two years, taking gold at the championships in Prague with a clear 30-bird lead.

At the same time AJ clinched the veterans title, making it two years in a row for the hot shot.

Proudly displaying his two gold medals and trophies, AJ told Journal Sport that it had been very satisfying to do so well in Prague, particularly as the last time he had shot for Great Britain was in 1989.

"We took gold that year too," he said.

"In fact I've never been beaten when I've shot for Great Britain - both in Europe and the world.

"Last year they came seventh out of eight - that was how bad they were, but this year we're back on top form."

As well as a 14-year break from the team, AJ was also competing with an injured knee, which he had damaged while gardening two days prior to the championships.

"Luckily my wife was there with me and she had to carry all my guns and cartridges - I couldn't have done it without her," said AJ, whose wife Tina is also a former British clay pigeon champion.

AJ now has a week to fully recuperate from his injury before heading to the south of France to compete in the World Championships.

"That will be it, as far as the major competitions go," said AJ.

"We're thinking about having a holiday after that and then later in the year we want to go caravanning down in the south of Spain and Portugal."

For someone who won the veterans title at the Cypriot Grand Prix in April and has his eye on the British Grand Prix later this month, as well as the World Champion-ships, the break is fully deserved.

He added: "I have shot a lot in the last two years to get to where I am now."

"I've proved to myself and everyone else that I can still do it."