Jamaica’s practical pistol shooters demonstrated exceptional precision, versatility and resilience at the recently concluded Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting Competition in Barbados. The team secured top honours in every category, solidifying their reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier competitive shooting teams.

The Jamaicans stood out in this highly competitive Level 3 event, challenging elite marksmen and women from countries such as the United States of America (USA), Suriname, Columbia, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia.

As a team, Jamaica secured first, second and third place finishes in the Production Optics, Production and Open Divisions, respectively.

The individual events saw Darin Richards leading the charge, as he copped first-place in the Standard Division and the esteemed International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) President’s gold medal. His outstanding performance set the tone for the entire team.

Adrian Randle and Rohan Wallace finished second in their respective divisions, while Alrice Palmer finished third in the highly competitive Open Division, further demonstrating Jamaica’s depth of talent. Lennie Moulton also placed second in the Open Division’s Senior Category.

The women were also a formidable force, as Yeonie Campbell and Florence Golding achieved a first and second place finish, respectively, in the Production Division lady category.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) very own, Corporal Shayon Francis, captured the High Lady Award as the highest-placed female shooter overall in the match, marking a significant achievement for the team and the country. Their remarkable performances highlighted the strength and competitiveness of Jamaica’s female shooters.

“We are incredibly proud of the team’s performance at the Smoking Barrels Xtreme Regional Shooting Competition,” said Yeonie Campbell, the Jamaica Rifle Association’s (JRA) Pistol Captain.

“This success is a testament to the dedication, discipline, and hard work of our shooters, and we are thrilled to bring home these well-deserved accolades,” she added.

Jamaica’s stellar performance at this prestigious event reaffirms the nation’s status in the shooting sports arena. The team’s achievements not only reflect their individual talents but also the strong support and training environment that has been cultivated within country’s shooting community.

“The JRA is dedicated to the promotion and development of shooting sports in Jamaica, providing opportunities for shooters of all levels to hone their skills and compete at the highest levels both regionally and internationally,” said Rohan Wilson, President of the JRA.

The Jamaican team returned home beaming with pride as they carried with them not just trophies and medals but also the pride of a nation that continues to excel on the regional and international stage.

A big field of 60 of Jamaica's top gunners will do battle at Jamaica Rifle Association's (JRA) Christmas Hamper Shoot at Woodleigh Shooting Range in Clarendon on Saturday.

The competitors will use the time on the range to prepare for the International Practical Confederation World shoot in South Africa, which is scheduled for 2025, where only the world's best shooters will get the chance to compete for prizes and top honours, as well as ranking points, to move up the scale to reach the zenith of master shooter. The World Shoot is a Level V championship and Jamaica will have eight spots at that event. It is the highest level in practical pistol competitions worldwide.

Some of the shooters who will be on the rage include Ryan Branwell, Shayon Francis, Adrian Randle and Andy Yap in the Open Division; Yeonie Campbell in Carry Optics, as well as Michael Bradshaw, Anthony Johnson and Matthew Smith-Barrett in Production Division.

All those shooters have enjoyed good form throughout the year, both locally and overseas, where they bettered competitors from other countries.

Bramwell topped his division locally in the JRA's President's Cup IPSC Level III in late October, ahead of Chris Hart and Randle. Bramwell also did well in the US National Championship in November, when he won the Production Optics Senior Division to collect the championship plaque.

Female shooter Campbell, earlier this year copped the Production Division and Ladies Category in the Spectrum Handgun Championship on her home range at Mountain View Avenue. She bettered Johnson in a nail-biter with just one point separating them, while Rohan Wallace was third.

When she competed in the US Nationals, Campbell placed 32nd from a field of 149 shooters in the Production Division and was the first female in the division.

President Rohan Wilson took over the reins of the JRA mid-year after Major John Nelson demitted office ahead of the scheduled elections.

Wilson is upbeat about Saturday's shoot, as well as the high number of competitors who registered. Though not wanting to predict any specific winners, he said that the competition will be "fierce among the competitors in the various divisions."