Jamaicans Rickman, Russell win gold, silver

KINGSTON:

Marksmen David Rickman and Claude Russell won gold and silver, respectively, to get Jamaica's campaign at the 2014 West Indies Target Rifle Championships off to a dazzling start.

On the first day of competition, Rickman ensured Jamaica had plenty to cheer about when he won gold over 900 yards. The top shooter scored 48 with three V's for the first-place finish, beating out Canadian Alpar Katona, who scored 48 with two V's to take silver. Anderson Perry of Antigua, who shot 48 with two V's, took bronze.

standings

On the 600-yard range, Russell shot 48 with four V's to finish second behind Norris Gomez of Trinidad & Tobago, who shot 50 with five V's. The Guyanese duo of Terrance Stewart and Lennox Brathwaite both shot 48 with one V to tie for third.

On the 300-yard range, the Canadians dominated the action, taking the top two positions. Serge Bissonnette shot 35 with four V's to place first, while Katona shot 35 with three V's to finish second. Michael Perez of Trinidad & Tobago was the only Caribbean shooter to medal on the 300-yard range, finishing third with 35 with three V's.

The championships, which are currently under way at the JDF Range at Twickenham Park, St Catherine, is being contested by shooters from six Caribbean Islands - Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua, Bermuda, Barbados, and Guyana - plus a goodwill team from Canada.

Commenting on the Jamaican team's first-day performance, Jamaica Rifle Association executive, Denis Lee, said: "The best is yet to come."

He added: "We're really pleased that David and Claude got us on the scoreboard on the first day.