Future Shots: Emely Jaeggi

Bittersweet can be the word to define the 2024 season of Swiss sensation Emely Jaeggi.

At just 15 years old, she was already a starlet on the junior circuit, having claimed a bronze medal at the World Junior Shooting Championships at the age of 14 in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions final, an event which was won by her older sister Vivien.

While winning the team gold medal with her sibling and another prodigy in Paris 2024 Olympic medallist Audrey Gogniat was a great result too, Jaeggi would also be awarded the silver medal in the 50m rifle prone final, meaning she left Changwon last year by standing on every step of the podium.

Dipping her toe into the senior ranks was a matter of taking each competition as it came, yet by the time July came, she was devastated to not make it to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“In the first moment when I heard I wasn't selected, I felt a little bit empty inside because I worked really hard for this dream and I was really close before to make it,” said Jaeggi.

“It’s like someone took your goal away.

“I was a little bit shocked, but I knew that I can't change it now and I just said to myself, I need to make the best out of it.”

It was a selection headache for the Swiss Shooting Sport Federation who had defending Olympic champion Nina Christen, the soon-to-be Olympic champion Chiara Leone and Jaeggi all vying for two spots in the 50m rifle 3 positions team. At the start of the season it may have been hard to look past Christen and Leone.

The journey to the Olympics was always going to be a tough one for the teenager, but the decision to go with Christen and Leone would not be an easy one. In January, Jaeggi would claim bronze on her ISSF World Cup debut in Cairo and would ensure there would be a second Swiss spot for her preferred event by claiming silver at the Olympic Qualification Championship in Rio de Janeiro in April.

The incredible season continued with a bronze medal at the European Championships in Osijek in June, just before selection. Leone would take the gold medal ahead of her, while Christen narrowly missed the final. It is rare that we see athletes take the transition from junior to senior as well as Jaeggi.

The now 16-year-old mentioned the pressure that came with the results, but is also full of praise for her sister and her teammates – particularly Christen who she considers her “biggest role model”.

While the disappointment of missing the action in Chateauroux was difficult, Jaeggi returned to the World Junior Championships with two top 10 finishes to complete a season full of highs.

Emely may be getting the deserved plaudits, but Vivien has been key to her younger sister’s success – being a near-constant presence throughout her shooting career so far. Only on a few occasions have the siblings been separated – such as at the ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi – in 2024 after spending so many seasons attached at the hip. That love has been a significant factor.

“I’ve had wonderful moments, also because my sister was with me every time,” said Emely about her junior career.

“I think that was best to win medals with her.

“It was a bit sad that Vivien didn't make it to the [ISSF World Cup Cairo] final, but I was really thankful that she was behind me.

“And I heard her voice, because she screamed every time.

“I think it's something special, we have.

“It's not always normal to have such a good relationship with a sibling, but I just saw from the beginning, we were really close.

“We said from the beginning on, we are a team and we're doing everything together and she's making me stronger and helped me in every situation.

“I'm also doing the same, helping her if she has a problem or something and I think that made us really strong.”

However, the changes this year have been a test of character for Emely Jaeggi too. Those absences are more frequent. Vivien was unable to attend the ISSF World Cup in Munich because of school work and Emely describes it was “really difficult” at first without her sister, when she had to travel to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Qualification Championship.

“I called her every day,” she added.

Jaeggi is aware that she “did everything I could” to make the Olympic team and instead chooses to focus on the glory of the season; three medals at senior level before she had even turned 16.

While she will continue her attempt to replicate and replace her idol Christen on the national team, she is also focused on her love for the sport in this important transitional phase.

“Most of my coaches told me to choose enjoyment,” said Jaeggi.

“I think that was the biggest part of it because, of course, I put a lot of pressure on myself, but every time they told me, it's something special that I can go to senior competition at my age.

“So, just enjoy every moment and don't be so hard to yourself and if it's not such a good competition or it doesn't go how you want it, just take it and be proud of yourself.”

Although 2024 was a stellar season, 2025 will be full of anticipation for one of the sport’s stars of the future. Adjustments in life will continue to challenge Jaeggi, but no matter the result, she will enjoy every shot she takes.