West Indies Full Bore Shooting Championships 2024: Guyana retains WI Short Range Trophy

The Team representing the Golden Arrowhead did not let down their Patron, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali;  they successfully defended the West Indies Short Range  Shooting Trophy they had won in Antigua last year.

   The conditions were extremely hot, and at times, subtle changes in the wind caused many teams to lose points.  After the first range at the 300 yards, Jamaica were in the lead with 357 points, followed by Antigua, and then Guyana.

   Guyana’s dismal 300 was caused by a combination of factors, including the sights of Lennox Braithwaite’s rifle  malfunctioning, and he had to switch to Leo Romalho’s rifle.  The Guyanese shooters then regrouped their energy and focus to shoot an excellent 370 at the 500 yds to take the lead from their competitors; and being better at the longer ranges, they kept their focus to also win the 600yds range to amass a total of  1091.46 points.

  At that stage, Antigua was in second place with 1084.52 points, Jamaica was in third with 1053.39 points, and Barbados was in third with 1017.40.  The local shooters, who had to be working on changing the 18 target faces for the various shoots and conducting the management of the championship, were delighted with their final performance for their country.

   The top WI individual in the Team shoot was Noah St. Clair of Antigua & Barbuda, who amassed 147.16 points to win the Wogart Trophy.

  In the International Short Range Team Match, which included the US Rifle Team and Canada, the US came out victorious.  This was a six-man team contest, and was shot concurrent with the WI Short Range Team Shoot, with their six shooters being named before the shoot.  The US shot 863.60 points to win the Gold Team Medal, and the Silver Team Medal was captured by Guyana with a score of 831.35.  Antigua shot 823.47, Jamaica 812.34, Canada 794.39, Barbados 763.35.

The Bermuda Shield, with the highest aggregate of the Individual and Team Shoots, went to Jamaican Dwaine Forde who scored 566.86 points

  For the Individual shoot, the US Rifle Team of Lucas Terwin, Team Captain Yvonne Roberts and Nathaniel Guernsey took the Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively.  The US Rifle Team performed extremely well at their first attendance at these championships, and the West Indies teams would now be well served to elevate their shooting to be more competitive with them.

  The new West Indies Individual Champion was a big surprise in the form of young Barbadian Joshua Trotman, who outperformed his more senior and experienced competitors.  Having shot last year as only a tyro (beginner) in Antigua, his now winning the coveted WI Individual title was a great achievement.

  Jonathan amassed  428.22 points, followed by other WI Shooters: Anderson Perry 426.22, Dwayne Ford 424.29, Laurne Benjamin 421.17, Leo Romalho 418.27, Lennox Braithwaite 415.22, Peter Persaud 413.17, D. John Nelson 410.16, and Dylan Fields 408.19.

  The WIFBSC Secretary Ryan Sampson reported that the ceremonial passing of the flag was presented to Barbados Team Captain Tonia Edwards by the WIFBSC President, Major D. John Nelson.  Barbados are to host the 2025 Championships, and the WI Council has also given Trinidad and Tobago the right to host the 2026 Championships.  Teams from Ireland and England are expected to visit the WI.

  He also reported that at their Council Meeting, Grenada was admitted as an affiliate to the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Council.

  The Guyana NRA hereby thanks H.E. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Brigadier Omar Khan, Captain (CG) Vernon Burnett, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, Lt. Col Andrew Pompey, Mr Mahendra Persaud, Mr. Hemant Narine, Mr Harold Hopkins, Mr. Mohamed Qualander, Mr. David Singh, Mr. Jerry FuSum; GRA Commissioner and Controller of Customs, Chief Statistician Ryan McKinnon, members of the media and members of the Guyana NRA for all the assistance given for the successful hosting of the 2024 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships.