JHELUM:
The 9-day 2nd F-Class National Long Range Shooting Championship 2024 concluded on November 18, 2024, at a shooting range in the Jhelum Cantonment, under the supervision of the Pakistan Long Range Rifle Association (PLRA). The prestigious event drew over 100 participants, including top shooters from across Pakistan, who competed in 10 different categories of national long-range matches.
The championship featured events in 10 categories. The competition was fierce, with experienced shooters vying for top honors in each category.
PLRA President Ahsan Gulrez talking to The Express Tribune, expressed his satisfaction in the growth of long-range shooting in Pakistan, highlighting the country’s progress in the FTR discipline. “Long-range shooting is a distinct discipline that requires a unique set of skills and experience,” he said. “We’re thrilled to see Pakistanis excelling in this field and competing at the international level.”
He also noted the inclusive nature of long-range shooting, which attracts participants of all ages and backgrounds. “Our youngest member is 15 years old, while our oldest members are in their 70s,” he said. “Experience and skill are more important than age. We’re working to promote the sport among ladies, and we have a provision for them to shoot from a bench rest position in Pakistan, considering our cultural and social context.”
In the 200m 22 F-Class Rifle individual event, Huzaifa Waleed Gill took home the gold with an impressive 142 points out of 150, followed closely by Mohsin Nawaz with 141 points and Noor ul Hassan with 139 points. Meanwhile, Waleed Ahmed Gill dominated the 200m Sporting Rifle individual event, scoring 149 points out of 150, with Huzaifa Waleed Gill securing second place with 148 points and Amjad Waheed Qureshi finishing third with 146 points.
“I’m thrilled to win the bronze medal at this prestigious championship. This was an exceptional event that brought together the best of Pakistan’s shooting talent. What I love about this championship is its exclusivity – it’s a true test of skill and endurance, pushing shooters to their limits in a challenging and unpredictable environment,” said Mohsin, who has represented Pakistan at international events.
The 600m Tactical Rifle individual event saw Mehfooz Ur Rehman Ursani emerge victorious with 89 points out of 110, while Syed Osama Adnan and Omar Yousafzai secured second and third places with 80 and 75 points, respectively.
Ahsan Waleed Gill made a stunning comeback in the 600m FTR rifle individual event, winning with a perfect score of 75 points out of 75, followed by Ahsan Gulrez with 74 points and Sardar Muhammad Jamal Khan Laghari with 73 points.
“I’m grateful to my father for introducing me to shooting at age 8. Winning this FTR gold medal is a tremendous honor and will propel me to greater success in future international competitions,” said Ahsan Gill.
The 800 Yds FTR rifle individual event was a nail-biter, with Junaid Waqas Iqbal taking the top spot with 75 points and 12 V-bulls, narrowly edging out 15-year-old Ahsan Waleed Gill, who finished second with 75 points and 11 V-bulls. Sardar Muhammad Jamal Khan Laghari secured third place with 75 points and 9 V-bulls.
In the F Open category, Huzaifa Waleed Gill won the 800 yards rifle match 2 individual event with a perfect score of 75 points, followed by Muhammad Waleed with the same points, but Huzaifa took the top spot due to more center hits. Junaid Waqas Iqbal finished third with 74 points.
“It’s an amazing feeling to win gold alongside my brother. Beating experienced shooters is a huge confidence boost, and sharing this achievement with him makes it even more special,” said Huziafa Gill.
The FTR winner trophy for the individual event went to Ahsan Waleed Gill, who scored an impressive 150 points out of 150, followed by Ahsan Gulrez with 149 points and Sardar Muhammad Jamal Khan Laghari with 148 points. The Pak Army team won the FTR team event with 588 points out of 600, while Xeaters and V-Bull secured second and third places with 578 and 576 points, respectively.
Huzaifa Waleed Gill also won the F Open winner trophy individual event with 148 points out of 150, followed by Junaid Aftab Iqbal with 147 points and Azhar Shafiq with 146 points.
The President PLRA talking about the importance of environmental factors in long-range shooting, said, “Temperature, wind direction, and wind speed as key determinants of a range’s difficulty. Ideally, we position our ranges to avoid direct sunlight, typically facing due north or northwest. However, wind speed and direction are the primary determinants of a range’s difficulty.”
As the championship came to a close, participants and organizers alike praised the event’s success. The PLRA’s efforts to promote long-range shooting in Pakistan have clearly paid off, attracting a diverse range of participants and fostering a sense of community among shooters.
