Peter Persaud emerged as Guyana’s top performer on the opening day of the 2025 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships, scoring 81 out of a possible 85 points on Tuesday at the Paragon Range in Barbados.
Persaud, who is a part of the 12-member team representing the Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA), delivered solid performances at both distances—recording 34.2 at 300 yards and 47.5 at 500 yards—to keep Guyana firmly in the hunt for individual and team honours.
He was closely followed by teammate Ryan Sampson, who posted 81.5 points (33.2 at 300 yards and 48.3 at 500 yards), while Vice-Captain Leo Romalho finished just behind with 81.4.
The team is up against top shooters from across the Caribbean and further afield, with teams representing Ireland, Canada, the United States, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, host nation Barbados.
Among the standout Caribbean shooters was Antigua and Barbuda’s Laurne Benjamin, who registered 83.4 (35.3 at 300 yards and 48.2 at 500 yards). Barbados’ Jason Wood also impressed with 82.4.
However, the day belonged to Ireland’s David Calvert, who shot possibles at both ranges—35.5 at 300 yards and 50.6 at 500 yards—for a perfect score of 85.11. Fellow Irish competitor Rebecca Laird also made a strong start, scoring 84.6 with a flawless 50.5 at the longer distance.
The Guyanese team arrived in Barbados on Sunday and are aiming to defend both their Short and Long-Range titles. The 12-member squad includes female shooters for the first time in two decades, with Kay-Ann Ghanie and Althea Alleyne making their return to international competition.
Led by Captain Dylan Fields and Vice-Captain Romalho, the team also features Manager and Coach Mahendra Persaud, along with seasoned marksmen Lennox Braithwaite, Sherwin Felicien, Roberto Tewari, USA-based Sigmond Douglas and John Fraser, and leading scorer Persaud.
