The Australian Rifle Team has won the 2024 Palma World Championship Match, taking home gold once again under the captaincy of Apple Tree Creek's Darren Enslin.
The Palma competition is the most prestigious target rifle shooting competition for long-range shooting up to 1000 metres with the Australian team taking home victory on three previous occasions.
Team Captain Darren Enslin said he was delighted that Australia was able to defend their recent title won in New Zealand in 2019.
“I have been lucky enough to have the extreme privilege of captaining Australia to back-to-back wins,” Darren said.
“After Great Britain had dominated for several matches, Australia is now the new international benchmark for target rifle team shooting.”
At the 2024 event, Australia set a new record on the first day but only held a narrow lead of two points over Great Britain heading into day two.
Wind conditions were calmer on the final day, which led to high scoring and several new records being set.
After five of the six distances were completed, Great Britain and Australia were tied on points but at the final 900 metre range, the Australian shooters took the win by four points.
“I couldn't be prouder of my team and the incredible determination and effort that they displayed, not to mention that both my wife Gillian Webb-Enslin and son Dean Enslin were part of the 25 person squad,” Darren said.
“The great thing about our sport is that, as well as being an ‘all of life sport', men and women also compete together alongside each other.
“As a local Apple Tree Creek resident for more than 20 years, I can commend the Bundaberg Rifle Range for its challenging conditions that have helped us a lot in our preparations for world championships.”
For more information about target rifle shooting and local clubs, visit the Queensland Rifle Association website here.
