Poinsettia Pistol Club members returned from the National Pistol Shooting Championships with a bag full of medals.
The KZN team, consisting of six local shotists, returned with a total of 57 medals from the champs, which took place in Pretoria from 25 to 29 April.
As a team, local shotists claimed 33 medals, including nine gold, 21 silver and three bronze, and 24 individual medals, of which 12 were gold, four silver and eight bronze.
Enrico Boaga won individual medals for centre fire pistol, Olympic rapid fire pistol, sport pistol and standard pistol, and team medals for centre fire pistol and police pistol A. At 78-years-old, he was also the oldest competitor at the national champs.
Dave Campbell received individual medals for pocket pistol, rapid fire pistol, sport pistol and free pistol, and team medals for pocket pistol, rapid fire pistol, air pistol, sport pistol, standard pistol, free pistol, 50 yards and centre fire pistol.
Gavin Jones and and Kevin Matthews won team medals for service pistol B and service pistol A respectively.
Neil Reyneke won individual medals for air pistol, centre fire pistol, rapid fire pistol, sport pistol, standard pistol, carry pistol, police pistol A, service pistol A and service pistol B, and team medals for rapid fire pistol, sport pistol, standard pistol, free pistol, 50 yards, air pistol, police pistol A, service pistol A, service pistol B and pocket pistol.
Neil was selected to shoot for the Mayleigh Cup team and received his national half colours.
His father Danie Reyneke, who is also the chairman of the Natal Pistol Association, shot his way to individual medals for centre fire pistol, rapid fire pistol, 50 yards, carry pistol, police pistol B, service pistol A and service pistol B, as well as team medals for air pistol, centre fire pistol, rapid fire pistol, sport pistol, standard pistol, free pistol, 50 yards, pocket pistol, police pistol A, service pistol A and service pistol B.
His massive haul of medals saw him awarded the General De Wet trophy for third place overall out of 149 entrants at the nationals, a fantastic achievement after he claimed last year’s runner-up spot.
“It was a surprise to finished third overall. It was also the first time in almost 10 years that Natal had so many members representing our province at the national championships,” said Danie.
“We made a huge impression on and off the ranges in our appearance, our behaviour, our assistance on the ranges and the way we competed. This is the best team result we have ever achieved at nationals.”
Danie has recently been elected as vice-president of the SA Pistol Federation and is in charge of the International Sport Shooting Federation’s planning going into the 2018 Commonwealth Games. “We are working towards a good representation in the SA team for the Commonwealth Games taking place in Durban in 2022.”
Danie and his Poinsettia club teammates are also busy planning the KZN champs which will take place at the Toti club in November for the first time in 11 years.
