Johann Fernando (NRC) top gun
Open Category champion Johann Fernando flanked by R. Wimalaratne (L) who placed third and second placed Rishan Dias (R)
Negombo Rifle Club’s (NRC) ace Shooter Johann Fernando clinched the Open Championship at the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) Open Trap Meet 2018 held at the Clay Target Shooting Club (CTSC) Range, Payagala, from June 21-24.
Rishan Dias (NRC) and ASP Wimalaratne of the Sri Lanka Police, came 2nd and 3rd.
The Meet had 68 participants from which the final 6 Shooters were selected after the Preliminary Rounds. The final 6 comprised Jeremy Fernando, Johann Fernando, Qiguing Wang, Rishan Dias, Rathnayaka Wimalarathna and Perry Emmanuel in chronological order.
The team event was clinched by NRC comprising Johann Fernando, Jeremy Fernando and Johnston Fernando. Runner-up Sri Lanka Police comprised Upul Rathnayaka, R. Wimalaratne and Susil Seneviratne, while 3rd placed NRC ‘B’ comprised Mohan Gilbert, Menaka Liyanage and Sean Silva.
Competitors representing NRC, Colombo CTSC, Magnum Shooting Club (MSC), Siyane Rifle Shooting Club, Hill Country Sports Shooting Club, Wayamba Sport Shooting Club, Puttalam District Sport Shooting Club and Sri Lanka Police took part in the Meet.
A notable absentee at the Meet was the Sri Lanka Air Force, a regular and highly competitive participant, which stayed away for want of ammunition. The Army and Navy are still to come into the sport of Trap and Skeet, which are Olympic disciplines of Shooting.
The next Trap competition, which will be a combined competition conducted by MSC and Colombo CTSC, is scheduled for mid-August.