Three wins for air gun shooters

GEORGE NEWS - The George Sport Shooting Club returned with three first places out of the nine shooters who participated in the World Hunter Field Target Championships held on the farm Eenzaamheid near Paarl from 27 to 29 September.

It was the first time the world champion-ship was held in South Africa, as well as the first time outside of Europe in eight years.

Although most of the international shooters could not participate due to problems with the transport of their air rifles, the 2023 Czech Republic world champions did participate, making it an official word championship event.

The South African Protea team placed second and a new individual world champion was crowned when Michael Olivier from the Western Cape won his category.

Walter Jnr van der Merwe (Laerskool George-Suid) takes aim alongside Walter Snr van der Merwe. Jnr placed first in the u.13 class and his dad achieved second place as part of the Protea Team.

"Well done to the Protea team for persisting and giving their all.

It was a weekend of wind, rain, sunshine and light hail, it almost felt like we were at home in George," said Ulrich de Jager of George Sport Shooting Club.

Two excellent and difficult 40-lane ranges were built by the talented course builder Zelda Bothwell.

"It was not the easiest course to shoot, and the weather made it almost impossible, but that did not discourage our shooters. Instead, the George air gunners performed at their best," said De Jager.

Elvin Stewart, who got second place in the open recoil class, takes aim.