Toti shottist, Danie Reyneke (56) returned with an incredible 19 medals, including gold for overall in the individual champs, from the National Pistol Shooting Championships at the defence force range in Pretoria from 27 April to 1 May.
Danie entered seven International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) items – free pistol, air pistol, 50 yards, sport pistol, centre fire, standard pistol and rapid fire – and scored three gold and four silver medals. In seven National Pistol Association (NPA) items – police pistol A, police pistol B, service pistol A, service pistol B, carry gun, pocket pistol and stock semi-automatic – he claimed a gold, silver and bronze medal.
In the ISSF team competition, in which he competed with the police team, he won three gold, two silver and a bronze medal. In the NPA team tournament, he scooped a gold and bronze.
“I was very happy with my performance and I had a good championship,” said the Hawks policeman. “These were my best results in the past six years.”
The Poinsettia Pistol Club member was born on a farm between Vicksburg and Bethlehem and his father taught him to shoot at an early age. “I still have my first pellet gun that I was given at the age of six,” he said. “And it still shoots. We grew up with the mantra “you shoot anything, you eat it”. I think this is the basis for my competitive shooting.”
Danie started competitive shooting 45 years ago when he was fresh out of police college.
He moved from Vryheid to Toti in 2006.
He first achieved national colours for shooting in 1986, and in 1988, while with the national team competed against the Swiss Olympic team unofficially and beat them.
He has since been awarded KZN and SA colours “countless times'” and received his national half-colours for his latest exploits. He has represented SA in Switzerland, Germany, France, England and Austria.
He competes with a .22 long pistol, .32 long pistol, air pistol, 9mm pistol and .38 special pistol.
He uses his owns pistols, as well as the police’s and loads his own ammunition.
At the champs he finished in the top 10 in the 50 yards, which meant he qualified for the Mayleigh Cup. In the international Mayleigh Cup competition, he finished third.
“I stopped shooting for nine years and started again in 2000. It was very hard to get back into it and I had to put my shoulder to the grindstone and practise a lot. Pistol shooting is a self-discipline, and discipline sport. There are no teammates to help you. You are alone. I will continue shooting until my eyes don’t allow me to.”
Danie practised twice a week for three weeks to prepare for nationals. His son, Neil of Pietermaritzburg is also a shottist and Danie was proud to announce him receiving his KZN colours. The pair get to practice together monthly.
“When I grew up it was shooting and rugby. I can watch any sport, but I have to support the Cheetahs whenever they play and my second team is the Sharks, although not at the moment.”
