Jamaica’s full bore shooters returned from Antigua & Barbuda with bronze medals, renewed momentum, and another reminder that the island remains one of the Caribbean’s most reliable forces in the sport.
Competing at the prestigious West Indies Full Bore Shooting Championship at the famed Crabbs Range, the 10-member Jamaican contingent battled through five demanding days of competition against some of the region’s and Commonwealth’s strongest marksmen. The championship featured shooters from Barbados, Bermuda, England, Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, and host nation Antigua & Barbuda, with England fielding an imposing 22-member squad among the 76 competitors overall.
The tournament unfolded across three days of individual competition and two days of team matches, testing precision, concentration, and endurance over the 300-, 500-, and 600-yard ranges.
At the center of Jamaica’s campaign stood a blend of experience, composure, and consistency.
The team was led by Professor Derek Mitchell and included Karen Anderson, Canute CC Coley, Basil Davidson, Dr. Dwayne Ford, Nicola Guy-Chin, Denis Lee, Major (ret’d) D. John Nelson, Jose Nunez, and Richard Thelwell.
Major Nelson produces one of the championship’s finest performances
If there was a defining Jamaican moment during the championship, it came on day two.
Major (ret’d) D. John Nelson delivered a brilliant score of 74.8 out of a possible 75 at 500 yards, the highest score recorded on that range for the day and one of the standout performances of the entire tournament.
The effort helped propel Nelson into a tie for third place overall in the individual standings with an impressive aggregate score of 452.32, making him Jamaica’s highest-finishing competitor.
For many within regional shooting circles, the result came as little surprise.
Major Nelson remains one of Caribbean full bore shooting’s most respected figures and currently serves as president of the West Indies Full Bore Council, the governing body for the sport in the region. His latest performance reinforced both his enduring quality and his ability to compete at the highest level against elite shooters from England and across the Caribbean.
While Antigua & Barbuda’s Laurne Benjamin ultimately captured the individual crown through exceptional marksmanship and superior range management, Jamaica’s veteran marksman ensured the black, green, and gold remained firmly in contention throughout the championship.
Ford’s consistency continues to shine
Dr. Dwayne Ford once again proved why he has become one of Jamaica’s most dependable competitive shooters.
Ford finished seventh overall with a score of 448.30, securing another top-10 finish and continuing a remarkable run of consistency that has now stretched across the last four years of competition.
Throughout the tournament, Ford displayed discipline and resilience while battling strong challenges from English competitors and the Caribbean field. His calm execution under pressure once again elevated Jamaica’s standing among the region’s elite teams.
Ford’s pedigree within the sport is already well established. He captured the 2022 Wogarth Cup, awarded to the shooter with the highest score in the West Indies short-range team match, and his latest performance further strengthened his reputation as one of Jamaica’s premier marksmen.
Anderson narrowly misses repeat crown
Karen Anderson also produced another strong championship showing, even if she fell agonizingly short of retaining her title as the region’s top female shooter.
Last year’s Amazon winner, awarded to the highest-placed female competitor, was edged by just two points this time around by Antigua & Barbuda’s Maxime James.
Still, Anderson remained among the tournament’s leading competitors, finishing 13th overall with a score of 443.25 to secure a place inside the top 20.
She also turned in an outstanding performance at 500 yards, where her score of 49.5v earned second place on that range.
Her showing added another layer of depth to a Jamaican squad that consistently featured near the top of multiple categories.
Jamaica places three shooters among championship’s best
Jamaica’s overall individual performances reflected a team capable of matching strides with the Caribbean’s traditional shooting powers.
The Jamaican individual standings were: Major (ret’d) D. John Nelson with 452.32 (tied 3rd), Dr. Dwayne Ford, 448.30 (7th), Karen Anderson with 443.25 (13th), Nicola Guy-Chin, 411.9 (25th), Jose Nunez with 410.13 (26th), Denis Lee, 406.9 (28th), Basil Davidson with 399.13 (31st), Richard Thelwell, 339.14 (43rd), Professor Derek Mitchell, 296.4 (45th), and Canute CC Coley, who did not start.
Bronze-medal finish caps strong Jamaican campaign
Jamaica’s momentum carried into the West Indies Short Range Team Match, where the squad secured the bronze medal after another composed and determined effort.
The team of Major Nelson, Dr. Ford, Karen Anderson, Nicola Guy-Chin, Jose Nunez, Denis Lee, Basil Davidson, and Richard Thelwell combined for a total score of 1029.42.
Host nation Antigua & Barbuda successfully defended its title with 1097.57, while Guyana claimed silver with 1088.51.
This time, Ford emerged as Jamaica’s top scorer in the team event with 142.10, narrowly ahead of Major Nelson on 138.7. Anderson again featured prominently with 132.7, while Basil Davidson was close behind on 132.4.
The remaining Jamaican scores were: Nicola Guy-Chin with 126.4, Jose Nunez with 123.3, Denis Lee, 120.3, and Richard Thelwell with 116.4.
The bronze-medal performance underscored Jamaica’s depth and competitive resilience, particularly against larger and heavily experienced teams.
Building toward 2027 on home soil
Beyond the medals and rankings, the championship served as another sign that Jamaica continues to hold a strong position within Caribbean full bore shooting.
The team’s consistent representation near the top of both individual and team standings highlighted a program with experienced leadership, proven performers, and a foundation capable of challenging for future regional titles.
Attention will now gradually shift toward 2027, when Jamaica is scheduled to host the West Indies Full Bore Shooting Championship.
With home advantage on the horizon and several seasoned competitors still performing at elite levels, Jamaica’s shooters will likely enter that championship believing greater success is within reach.
Team Jamaica received sponsorship support from the Jamaica Olympic Association, Milex Security Services, Mayberry, and Pre-Mix.
