Jamaican shooting to the top

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Jamaican International Master class shooter Orville Henriques continues to break new ground in expanding the variety of sporting activities for which the country has become world-renown after shooting his way to a third-place finish in the annual Double Tap Shooting Championships held in Wichita, Texas, last weekend.

The tournament was the latest on the calendar of events of the United States Practical Shooting Association, and was hosted at the Double-Tap Ranch Gun Club. It is open to international competitors, and essentially features practical shooting scenarios that tests skills of a pistol holder at the greater difficulty level.

Henriques, who hails from Mandeville and is president of the Manchester Rifle and Pistol Club (MRPC), competed in the Limited Division, which attracted 112 competitors.

He scored 14677.8808 points for an overall percentage rate of 91.93. A breakdown of his performance showed that he won two of the 12 stages that comprised the competition, and had a top-five placing in seven others.

It was the second straight year that Henriques was mining bronze but he told The Gleaner that he was more than satisfied with the accomplishment.

"The conditions were tough - you are talking about 110 degrees Fahrenheit - much too hot even for someone from a tropical country as ours. I thought overall, the group coped admirably," said Henriques.

Two other members of the MRPC, Sue-ann Henriques and David McMorris placed 54th and 68th overall, respectively.

Yesterday, the Manchester Rifle and Pistol Club hosted a similar tournament at its headquarters and newly developed range facility in Lincoln, Manchester.

Key to the competition exercises will be various simulations patterned from typical Jamaican-based scenarios, where the ordinary individual can be challenged by an intruder. Both the participant's reaction time and accuracy will be tested.

Participation is strictly limited to licensed firearm holders and law enforcement officers. However, Henriques says the day's programme is also intended to be an open, family fun day.

"The goal is to get all licensed firearm owners in a facility where they can not only learn useful firing skills, but where just about everyone can enjoy the action and feel safe," he said.

"What we have set up will be practical situations that test the firearm holders wit and sense of preparedness. We will accommodate both amateur or those that are advanced," announced Henriques.