Local practical shooters were for the second year given an opportunity last weekend, on Saturday 29th June, 2019, to participate in a Sport Shooting Competition which was exclusively sponsored by Dental Imports Guyana Inc. (DIG Inc.) and hosted by the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation.
Match Director Mr. David Dharry in declaring the Match open, welcomed participants to what promised to be an exciting afternoon with five dynamic fun stages. Everyone converged on the “Peekaboo” stage as one Squad which began with shooters standing in a relaxed position, heels touching rear fault lines of the stage. A magazine was inserted in the handgun but chamber empty. Upon start signal, shooters had to engage the 4 paper targets as they became visible and run a few feet forward to finally peek around a barricade to engage the 3 remaining poppers.
After warming up by completing the first stage, shooters proceeded to a starkly different stage called “No Rush” which comprised of 4 paper targets but 6 no-shoot targets surrounding them which caused participants to take their time after turning to face downrange when the start-signal was given. Gasps were heard by participants and spectators alike as seasoned shooters unfortunately registered a few hits on the much-dreaded no-shoot targets thereby incurring a penalty of minus 10 points per hit.
Things then turned a little lively after that particularly tense stage as everyone proceeded to the “Bolero” stage which started with the participants all standing in Zone A, facing uprange, with all their magazines placed on a barrel. Upon start signal, shooters had to retrieve unloaded handgun placed on a table behind them or choose to retrieve the magazines first then engage all targets which were 7 paper targets and 2 plates. This stage saw shooters engaging targets as if dramatically and technically dancing the Spanish bolero with different techniques/moves executed.
The fun did not end there as shooters then proceeded to what was declared a fun stage: “Afternoon Jog”. This stage was just that as shooters started out with a loaded and holstered handgun and upon start signal had to move/jog to various locations to engage 6 paper targets, 2 poppers and 2 plates.
The afternoon’s Competition ended on the “Fiesta” which was a very colourful stage which saw shooters on start position standing with a Sombrero on his/her head, facing uprange, hands touching marks on the wall. Holstered handgun was loaded and chamber empty. Upon start signal, shooters had to engage targets with the provided sombrero on shooter when engaging targets. This stage comprised of 11 paper targets, 2 no-shoot and 2 poppers.
Beautiful trophies were presented to the winners. Overall Match Results of the G.S.S.F. Practical Shooting Match sponsored by Dental Imports Guyana Inc. were as follows.
Limited Division:
1st Place – Ryan McKinnon (345.3381 Points)
2nd Place – John Phang (331.0934 Points)
3rd Place – Pravesh Harry (287.3179 Points)
Production Division:
1st Place – Andrew Phang (347.6693 Points)
2nd Place – Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (307.1555 Points)
3rd Place – Dallas Thomas (235.1131 Points)
Dr. Pravesh Harry in the Closing Ceremony reiterated his pleasure at being able to sponsor a Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation’s Practical Shooting Match and indicated DIG’s commitment to the GSSF and safe sport shooting activities. DIG Inc., which has been established by Dr. Pravesh Harry and Dr. Kevin Jodah, is a local, efficient, and reliable dental supplies company. The main focus of the company at this point is to supply dentists in and around Guyana with a wide range of dental materials at competitive prices.
The G.S.S.F. would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to Dr. Harry and the Board of Directors of Dental Imports Guyana Inc for the kind sponsorship and support of the Foundation’s activities and events.
The Board of Directors wishes to commend the Match Director, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers and the shooters for ensuring an efficient event. Special thanks also to the Guyana Defence Force, Chief of Staff Brigadier Patrick West, Commissioner of Police Mr. Leslie James, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ms. Maxine Graham, OC Mr. Guy Nurse, the ranks of TSU and the Guyana Police Force, the Media and GSSF members for their support in promoting practical shooting locally. Thanks also to Mr. Harold Hopkinson for the use of his personal props, steel plates, poppers and targets stands for some of the stages.
More information on the G.S.S.F. is available on its website www.GuyanaSportShooting.com
Photo Credit: Mr. Stanford Howard
In Photos below,
- Group Picture of some of the Participants in the DIG 2019 sponsored GSSF’s Practical Shooting Match.
2. Prize Winners of the 2019 DIG sponsored Practical shooting Match, Mr. Ryan McKinnon (yellow shirt) and Mr. Andrew Phang (red shirt) surrounded by other prize winners, Dr. Pravesh Harry, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and Mr. Dallas Thomas. Missing is Master John Phang.
3. The 2019 DIG Winners of the GSSF’s Practical Shooting Match: Ryan McKinnon and Andy Phang
