Jamaica's sport shooters bag multiple podiums at World English Championship in Texas

The Jamaica Skeet Club is celebrating after its men's and women's teams, along with several individual marksmen, claimed a string of podium results at the recently concluded World English Championship in San Antonio, Texas.

The meet drew more than 1,000 shooters from 19 nations, with strong fields from the United States, England, Italy, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand contesting what is regarded as one of the discipline's premier global fixtures.

Jamaica entered a 10-member national side made up of six men and four women, but the wider Jamaican delegation in Texas numbered 27 competitors spread across classifications from D Class up to Master.

The women's quartet of Aliana McMaster, Wendy McMaster, Lori-Anne Harris and Toni Barnes delivered the headline performance, taking third place in the Main Event behind the United States and England.

In the men's team competition, Christian Sasso, Shaun Barnes, Roman Tavares-Finson, Jonathan Ralston, Nicholas Chen and Alex Cunningham finished fifth on 776 points, narrowly edged out by Ireland on 777. The United States topped the standings with 903, ahead of England on 876 and Italy on 842.

Jamaica's individual scorecard was equally busy. Lori-Anne Harris lifted the Winchester Ladies Cup A-D High Overall title with 228 out of 300, and added a runner-up finish in the Main Event C Class.

Aliana McMaster picked up bronze in the Lone Star Cup AA Class to add to her team medal, and registered 81 out of 100 in the FITASC discipline. Roman Tavares-Finson reached the podium twice, in the Main Event and the Super Sporting AA Class, while Jonathan Ralston came second in Super Sporting AA Class.

Among the independent Jamaican entries, Philip Burgess was a standout in D Class with five podium results — gold in FITASC, the Lone Star Cup and American Field Sporting, plus third place in both the Main Event and the 5-Stand.

Veteran national coach Khaleel Azan struck gold in FITASC C Class, David Subaran took silver in FITASC A Class, and Brian Kong picked up silver in Super Sporting B Class.

The club singled out Wendy McMaster for praise, noting that she doubled as competitor and team manager and led the delegation's preparation and on-site coordination. Tracy Simpson was also acknowledged for her work in organising Jamaica's participation in the championship.

McMaster said she was satisfied with how the squad represented the country, both in their conduct and on the firing line.