At age 10, John participated in his first competition.  He shot his first 100 straight three years later.  In 1971 John attended his first World Shoot and 2001 marks his 30th World Shoot.  In 1973 he was named to his first All American Team and has, in some capacity, been an All American nearly every year since.

 

Skeet shooting was a factor in John’s choice of college.  Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas had a skeet team, coached by Colonel Tom Hanzel.  John credits “The Colonel” with teaching him how to teach skeet.  While at Trinity, John Bender and the two team members became great friends.  Eventually they formed a business partnership known as the Bender Shima Shooting Clinics.  BSSC keeps them busy throughout the year teaching clinics across the United States.  Todd and John were the first two Master instructors in the NSSA.  John has served the NSSA on the All American Selection Committee, as a State Director, and as Chief Instructor.

 

In 1977 John won the World 180gauge event and HOA with a 548×550.  1981 saw John as the World 12-gauge champ and winning the Champion of Champions.  The following year saw John go head-to-head with Al Magyar (NSSA Hall of Famer), in a 32 round shoot-off for the 12-gauge Championship.  Through the years, John has won the Great Eastern championship HOA title, 12-gauge titles, numerous state HOA and gauge titles in Illinois and Texas, as well as having several 400x400s and 500x500s.

 

John learned from his father that the camaraderie that develops between shooters is just as much a part of the game as shooting 100 straight.  Growing up, his core squad consisted of family (Doc Shima and John) and close family friends, Fred Brunner and Joe Buralli.  Later he shot with Doc, Ellen Nelms, Jim Prall, and either Phil Murray or Fred Peters.  These days John’s teammates include Kevin Prall, Ellen Nelms, John Imbt, and Fred Peters.  

 

After over 30 years shooting skeet, he loves all aspects of the game – the practice, competition, the camaraderie and, perhaps most of all, the teaching.  Coaching allows John to share not only his experience and knowledge of skeet but also his love for the game of skeet shooting.