Multiple podium finishes for Jamaican shooters at World English Championship

THE Jamaica Skeet Club is brimming with pride following multiple podium finishes by its men’s and women’s teams and individual shooters at the recent World English Championship in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

More than 1,000 competitors from 19 countries, including top shooters from the USA, England, Italy, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand, contested one of the sport’s most prestigious international events.

The Jamaica Skeet Club fielded a 10-member national team — six men and four women — while a total of 27 shooters travelled to Texas to represent the island across divisions ranging from D to Master class.

The women’s team of Aliana McMaster, Wendy McMaster, Lori-Anne Harris and Toni Barnes produced the standout result of the championship, finishing third in the main event behind the USA and England.

The men’s team of Christian Sasso, Shaun Barnes, Roman Tavares-Finson, Jonathan Ralston, Nicholas Chen and Alex Cunningham placed fifth on 776, just one point behind Ireland (777). The USA won with 903, followed by England (876) and Italy (842).

Beyond the team standings, Jamaica’s competitors made their presence felt in the individual events. Lori-Anne Harris claimed the Winchester Ladies Cup A-D High Overall (HOA) title with a combined score of 228/300, while also placing second in the Main Event C Class.

Aliana McMaster added a Lone Star Cup AA Class bronze to complement the team medal and posted an impressive 81/100 in FITASC. Roman Tavares-Finson secured two podium finishes in the Main Event and Super Sporting AA Class, while Jonathan Ralston was second in the Super Sporting AA Class.

Among the independent Jamaican competitors, Philip Burgess claimed five podium finishes in D Class — first place in FITASC, the Lone Star Cup and American Field Sporting, and third in both the Main Event and 5-Stand.

Long-time national coach Khaleel Azan won FITASC C Class gold, David Subaran took FITASC A Class silver, and Brian Kong earned Super Sporting B Class silver.

The Jamaica Skeet Club praised Wendy McMaster, who served as both shooter and team manager, for her role in pre-event preparation and leadership in coordinating the delegation throughout the championship. The club also commended Tracy Simpson for her assistance in organising the team’s participation and ensuring Jamaica was well represented.

McMaster said she was pleased with the team’s conduct and performance at the championship.