The National Rifle-shooting championships will fire off today at the Timehri Rifle ranges with the country’s leading rifle shooters vying for the title of Top Gun and several prizes at stage.
Defending champion Ransford Goodluck who won the grand aggregate last year will be looking to maintain his title but is expected to face stiff opposition from the other shooters.
Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud is also one of the contenders for the top prize as well as Richard Fields who have all previously held the title.
Other contenders include former national junior champion Ryan Sampson, Dane Blair, Claude Duguid, Dylan Fields, Paul Slowe and Terry Stewart.
Officials of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) said there was the likelihood of several former national shooters participating and a junior category would be set up to accommodate “the old stalwarts” who will match their skills with the new comers.
Charles Deane is one of the newcomers who will be contesting the junior category.
Three events are carded for the day with the first event being over the 300 yard for the highest possible score of 35 points, while the second event will be over 500 yards for a highest possible score of 50 points and at stake will be the Valladares Trophy.
The aggregate of the three events on the first day will be for 135 points.
Among the prizes at stake are the Dowridge Memorial Trophy for the 300 yards aggregate, the Wood Davis trophy for the 10-round aggregate, the Aubrey Tappin for the short range aggregate, Denise Carryl for the long range aggregate and the Sigmund Douglas trophy for the grand aggregate.
The championships will continue next Saturday and end on Sunday starting at 11:00 hours each day.
