Robert Paxton
Born in Ft. Worth, TX in 1953, Robert’s family moved to Venezuela in 1958, where he started his shooting with a BB gun. After moving back to Corpus Christi, TX in 1967, Robert shot his first registered skeet targets in 1969.
Robert’s grandfather, R. C. Pope, was a small bore rifle champion in the 30’s and 40’s. When Robert showed an interest in shooting, Mr. Pope bought him his first shotgun – a Remington 870 20 ga. pump. Mr. Pope was his coach, advisor and sponsor, and for the first 5 years of Robert’s shooting career, Mr. Pope became a fixture at the skeet clubs, as he would attend every shoot that Robert entered. Mr. Pope had never shot registered skeet, but knew what it took to win, and carefully imparted his knowledge to his grandson.
Capturing the 1971 World High Overall Skeet Championships at the age of 18 is still Robert’s most cherished win, as he was not even considered a long shot going into the shoot. He went on to win the High Overall at the 1975 World Shoot with a record score of 549 x 550. Robert has been on 45 All-American teams (31 Open 1st -13 Open 2nd – 1 Junior) and was captain of the 1975 All-American Open Team. He has been HOA High Average Leader twice and won numerous gauge High Average titles. Robert has held the .410 long run record at 469, the 28 ga. long run record at 857, and currently holds the 20 ga. long run record at 2173 straight hits without a miss. Robert has broken 20 perfect 400 x 400 scores, and has had a HOA average of over 99% 20 times in his career. Robert was inducted into the Texas Skeet Shooters Hall of Fame in 1985 and in the National Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame in 1995.
Upon graduating from Trinity University, Robert went into the competition shotgun business and he is still at it today, working beside his wife, ten time NSSA All-American and TSSA Hall of Famer, Mary DiGiovanni.
Major Shooting Accomplishments
Robert C. Paxton
Career Highlights
Total Years on All-American Teams: 46
Years on Open 1st Team: 31
Total 400 x 400s: 20
Total 500 x 500s: 2
Texas State Shoot HOA Champion: 9-time Winner
All-American Teams
Open 1st Team (31 Years) ’72, ’73, ’75 (Capt), ’76, ’77, ’78, ’79, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’93, ’94, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’02, ’03, ’07, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’15, ’16
Open 2nd Team (14 Years) ’74, ’86, ’88, ’92, ’95, ’96, ’00, ’01, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’17, ’19
Junior 2nd Team 1971
World Shoot Major Accomplishments
2014: 28 Ga World Champion (100×100) & Mini World HOA CH (400×400)
2012: .410 World Champion (100×100)
1998: Doubles World Champion (100×100)
1975: HOA World Champion (549×550) & Champ of Champs (100×100)
1974: Champion of Champions CH (100×100)
1971: HOA World Champion (548×550)
Runner-Up & Top Finishes:
RU Champion: 2015 (.410), 1996 (HOA), 1992 (28 Ga), 1983 (.410), 1973 (28 Ga)
3rd Place: 2007 (28 Ga), 1999 (28 Ga), 1983 (HOA), 1979 (28 & 20 Ga), 1976 (28 Ga)
Individual World Records
1991: 20 Ga. Long Run Record (2173) – Current World Record
1988: .410 Long Run Record (469)
1980: First shooter to break three 400 x 400s
1979: 28 Ga. Long Run Record (797) & High Average (.9980)
1976: First shooter to break two 400 x 400s
1975: HOA World Champ (549×550) – World Record
1971: HOA World Champ (548×550) – Tied World Record
Historical Significance
Longevity Record: 43 years between his first and latest World Championship (Longest in NSSA history).
Consistency Record: 44 years between his first and latest Open All-American Team selection.
Hall of Fame Performance: 44 years on either 1st or 2nd Open All-American Teams.
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