Veteran marksman, Harold “Topgun” Hopkinson captured a gold medal for Guyana at the just concluded International Practical Shooting Federation Level 11 competition held last Sunday at the MTC Shooting Range in Suriname.
It was Guyana’s only gold medal at the international meet in the neighbouring Dutch republic as Hopkinson rolled back the years to win Stage Two named “Precious Cargo” with a 100 percent score beating his much younger competitors.
The former national handgun champion recorded 37 points with accuracy and a blistering time of 13.50 seconds in the stage where competitors had to use their weak hand to hold a Case while shooting Four Paper targets and one popper with the unsupported strong hand.
The seasoned campaigner said he used an out of the box un-tuned Walther P99AS, with a four-inch barrel. He placed sixth overall with 62.50 percent in the production class.
According to Hopkinson, he made Guyana and the Guyana National Rifle Association proud with his performance.
Hopkinson said he now has his sights on the upcoming Level 111 match billed for November 7-9 in the neighbouring territory.
Guyana is expected to be represented by a strong team at the competition which is expected to attract top hand gun shooters from around the world.
Hopkinson expressed thanks to the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud DSM, The Commissioner General of GRA Khurshid Sattaur, General Marine Company Limited and the Executive and members of GNRA for making the trip possible.
