Guyanese shooters brave tough conditions at WIFBSC Championships

Guyanese shooters are holding their own despite challenging conditions on the opening day of the Individual segment of the 2025 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships at the Paragon Range in Barbados.

Rain and fading light affected play, allowing only two scheduled events to be completed. The 600-yard event was postponed to Wednesday.

Peter Persaud was Guyana’s top performer on day one, scoring 81 out of a possible 85 points from the 300 and 500-yard ranges.

He recorded 34.2 at 300 yards and 47.5 at 500 yards.

Countryman Ryan Sampson was close behind with a total of 81.5 (33.2 at 300 yards and 48.3 at 500 yards), while Vice-Captain Leo Romalho scored 81.4.

Among the leading West Indian shooters was Laurne Benjamin of Antigua and Barbuda, who scored 83.4 (35.3 at 300 yards and 48.2 at 500 yards). Barbados’ Jason Wood was one point behind with 82.4.

Ireland’s David Calvert dominated the opening day, shooting possibles at both ranges (35.5 at 300 yards and 50.6 at 500 yards) for a total of 85.11.

Irishwoman Rebecca Laird was also in strong contention with 84.6 (34.2 at 300 yards and a possible 50.5 at 500 yards).

Four ranges are scheduled for competition on day two.

West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council President, Maj, chaired the championship’s opening ceremony on Tuesday.

Ret’d Denis John Nelson of Jamaica. Brigadier Carlos Lovell, Chief of Defence Staff of Barbados, officially declared the Championship open, welcoming teams from Ireland, Canada, USA, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and the host nation.

Brigadier Lovell emphasized the importance of the competition in raising the standard of fullbore rifle shooting in the West Indies. He fired the ceremonial opening shot at the 300-yard range, hitting a V-Bull.

The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) extended its gratitude to its sponsors for making their participation possible, including President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Brigadier Omar Khan, Commissioner Clifton Hicken, Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Godfrey Munroe, Ramsay Ali (CEO of Sterling Products), Queensway Security Ltd, Continental Group of Companies, Crown Mining, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority, and Caribbean Airlines.