Murdock ready to defend title at Pan Am Handgun Champs

Jamaica’s lone grandmaster practical shooter, Lesgar ‘Speedy’ Murdock, will be looking to lead the country’s charge and retain the Open category when the Pan American Handgun Shooting Championships get under way this week in Frostproof, Florida.

Murdock, who is based in the United States with the Infinity shooting team, will be looking to secure another Pan Am title, after claiming top honours when the championships was held in Jamaica back in 2018.

Twenty-four gruelling stages face more than 700 international shooters over the four days of competition. Murdock is ready and raring to go in familiar conditions at the Universal shooting academy venue, as he looks to stave off strong challenges from American national champion Christian Sailer, fellow Americans Chris Tilley and K.C. Eusebio and Brazilian Jaime Saldanha.

“The guys I am competing with, we are pretty much at the same level, but the key for me is to be consistent on every stage and try not to make mistakes,” Murdock said.

With each shooter expected to shoot six stages per day, Murdock noted that physical preparation will be key to coming out on top.

“Conditions are going to be very hot and humid, and so hydration is going to play an important role for you to stay focused and execute. In this type of competition, if you make a mistake, anyone can go around you,” added Murdock.

Murdock, along with Ryan Gurzong, Rory Wilson and Alberto D’Ascola will form the Open category national team, with the Super Six female members Rene Rickhi, Sasha Mullings, Kayla Keane and Shayon Francis representing the country in the Lady’s Production Optics category.

Murdock is also confident that the ladies will represent well in Florida.

“I think they stand a good chance because they have been training very hard; and from what I have seen from when they just started to now, it is a big difference.

The rest of the Jamaican contingent at the Pan American championships are Andrew Yap, Paul Dixon, Ellsworth Dixon and Owen Campbell competing in the standard division, with Yeonie Campbell, Sanjay Welsh, Matthew Smith-Barrett, and Florence Golding taking part in the production division.

The Men’s Production Optics will see Ryan Bramwell, Alrice Palmer, Adrian Randle, Andre Oddman, Darin Richards, Arjun McPherson, Michael Wilkinson, Robin Rickhi and Thomas Hall competing.