Negombo and Clay Target shooters share honours at NSSF Trap Open

(From left): Competition Director Mohan Gilbert along with Jeremy Fernando (Bronze medalist), overall champion and Gold medalist Kaushan Samaranayake (centre), Johann Fernando (Silver medalist) and and Assistant Competition Director Dinesh Lionel after the Awards ceremony

Shooters from Negombo Rifle Shooting Club (NRC) and Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSCC) shared honours at the NSSF Trap Open Championship concluded at the CTSCC Shooting Range in Payagala. 

Coming on top was Kaushan Samaranayake of NRC emerged the Overall Champion ahead of CTSCC shooters Johann Fernando and Jeremy Fernando. Samaranayake, who was in prime form, overpowered the rest to claim the Gold medal in the main event, as Johann claimed the Silver, followed by Jeremy, who annexed the Bronze medal.

The trio were among Ambrith Samaranayake, Shiyam Dias, Kaveesh Jayasuriya, Dilanjan Jayasooriya, Nivantha Vaas, Charith Rajakaruna, Adrian Daniels and Johann Daniels, who competed in the final round. 

However, Johann pocketed the gold medal of the Open Category, while his CTSCC team mate Jeremy settled in for the Silver medal. Samaranayake had to settle in with the Bronze medal of this category. 

NRC shooters once again dominated the Masters Category, as Ambrith Samaranayake became the champion and Gold medal winners. Following close in was his team mate Shiyam Dias, who settled in with the Silver medal, as Dilanjan Jayasooriya of CTSCC had to satisfy with the Bronze medal by a slight difference.  In the Junior Category, NRC’s Dimitry Livera claimed the Gold medal of Junior Male followed by his team mate Devdun Tissera, who clinched the Silver medal. Anitra Dharmaratne of CTSCC won the Gold medal of the Junior Female segment.

The Gold medal of the Team Category was won by Team NRC Alpha, which included Kaushan Samaranayake, Ambrith Samaranayake and Shiyam Dias. They were well ahead of Silver medalists Clay Target SCC that included Johann Fernando, Jeremy Fernando and Lakshan Hettiarachchi. Following in to claim the Bronze medal were NRC Charlie, which included (Nihal Perera, Nivantha Vaas and Kaveesh Jayasuriya. 

Over 50 shooters competed at the NSSF Trap Open Championship 2024, conducted annually by the National Shooting Sports Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) at the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo, Payagala Range. 

Shooters representing Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo, Negombo, Magnum, Puttalam, Siyane, Hill Country and Wayamba rifle shooting clubs vied in this competition, which also served as a trial for updating the national pool and for future international events. Under the leadership of NSSF President Shirantha Peiris, the three-day competition was conducted with the able assistance of Competition Director Mohan Gilbert and Assistant Competition Director Dinesh Lionel.