NSSF Trap Open Nationals 2024 Kaushan creates national trap record, as Negombo RC reign on top

Overall winner Rishan Dias (centre) flanked by Silver medalist Jeremy Fernando (left) and Bronze medalist Kaushan Samaranayake

National record holder Kaushan Samaranayake of NRC (right) with team-mate and father Ambrith Samaranayake

Kaushan Samaranayake of Negombo Rifle Shooting Club (NRC) created a national record, while his team mate Rishan Dias bagged the overall title at the NSSF Trap National Championship 2024 which concluded last weekend at the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo Range in Payagala. 

Samaranayake accumulated a record breaking tally of 103 points from the five rounds, a rare feat achieved by a local shooter in the trap discipline of clay target shooting. Fellow NRC shooter Rishan Dias finished at second with 98 points while Jeremy Fernando of Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSCC) finished ahead at third with 92 points, the similar tally achieved by Nivantha Waas of NRC. Shirantha Peries of CTSCC finished fifth with 90 points to his tally, while Krishan Daniels (CTSCC), Shiyam Dias (NRC), Ambrith Samaranayake (NRC), Johann Fernando (CTSCC) and Mohan Gilbert (NRC) finished among the top 10. 

However, in the final round, the battle became a two way affair between Rishan Dias and Jeremy Fernando, in which the former emerged victorious with 38 points. Fernando claimed the silver medal with 33 points while Samaranayake had to settle with the Bronze medal after accumulating 24 points. 

Samaranayake, however claimed the Gold medal in the Men’s open category after finishing ahead with 43 points among nearly 40 other contenders who were in fray under the same category. CTSCC’s Jeremy Fernando won the silver medal with 41 points while NRC’s Rishan Dias accounted for the Bronze medal with 37 points. 

Anupama Rathnayeka of Army Small Arms (ASAA) won the Gold medal of the Female Open category, as she overpowered the challenge possessed by team mate Shalika Liyanarachchi and Fazeena Jainulabdeen of CTSCC, who claimed the Silver and Bronze medals respectively. 

Shirantha Peries of CTSCC edged out Ambrith Samaranayake of NRC to claim the Master’s category Gold medal after gaining the upper-hand by a single point. Peries obtained 36 points while Samaranayake, who finished with a tally of 35+1 points, had to walk away with the Silver medal, as NRC’s Mohan Gilbert, finished close behind with 35 points to settle in with the Bronze medal. 

Dimitry Livera of NRC dominated the Junior Male category to claim the Gold medal while Nethum Damsuka and Mahen Adeesha, both representing HOSSSAC, won the Silver and Bronze medals respectively. Reinya Ranasinghe of Hill Country RSC was dominant in the Junior Female category, as she outsmarted Anitra Dharmaratne of CTSCC and Sithuli Sirimanne of HOSSSAC to claim the Gold medals. 

 NRC totally dominated the team event as four of their teams finished among the top five. NRC Alpha, represented by Kaushan Samaranayake, Amrbith Samaranayake and Rishan Dias, came on top with 115 points while NRC 692, which included Nihal Perera, Shiyam Dias and Nivantha Waas, claimed the Silver medal after accumulating 96 points. The Bronze medal was claimed by NRC Clay Busters, represented by Dallas Martenstyn, Mohan Gilbert and Sean Silva, who put together 91 points to their team.

Over 70 shooters competed at the NSSF Trap National Championship 2024, an annual top end event conducted by the National Shooting Sports Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF). Shooters representing Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo, Negombo, Magnum, Puttalam, Siyane, Hill Country, Army Small Arms, Scorpions and Wayamba rifle shooting clubs vied for honours at this year’s edition, which usually serves as a trial for updating the national pool and for future international events. 

Winners of the Junior, Open, Masters and Ladies were awarded with medals and certificates, as well as for the first three positions of the Overall and Team segments. Under the leadership of NSSF President Shirantha Peiris, the four-day competition was conducted with the able assistance of Competition Director Mohan Gilbert and Assistant Competition Director Dinesh Lionel.