Pakistan's long range rifle team clinches double gold in South Africa, making history
The team stunned the shooting world by defeating the host nation — the current world number one — on their own turf.
The team delivered an outstanding performance, securing victories in two of the tournament's premier events.
They claimed the Vice President Team Match with a score of 1168/1200, and followed it up by winning the Chairman's Team Cup, the most prestigious event of the championship, with an even more impressive score of 1174/1200.
The winning squad featured Lieutenant General Ahsan, Asad Waheed, Ubaid Ibrahim, Huzaifa Gul, Junaid Waqas, Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Ali, and Sepoy Waleed.
Notably, expert wind coaching — a crucial factor in long-range shooting — was provided by South African veterans Hennie Gerber and Julius Hartman, showing the team's commitment to mastering every technical aspect of the sport.
In addition to their team triumphs, Pakistan also dominated the individual events, taking home a total of 11 medals: 5 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze.
Leading the individual medal tally was Lt. Col. Junaid Ali, who won an astounding 3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals across various categories.
Among the standout performances was Sepoy Waleed's gold in the prestigious Scottish Sword Match and Asad Waheed's gold in the Jack Michley Match.
Pakistan's rise in the world of long-range rifle shooting has been nothing short of remarkable. After making their international debut only recently at the 2023 F-Class World Championship, where they secured a respectable fifth-place finish, the team rapidly built momentum.
They went on to win the European FTR Teams Championship, setting multiple records along the way — an impressive feat for a nation relatively new to the F-Class shooting circuit.
The team's success is a result of intense merit-based selections, rigorous training, and a disciplined approach, backed by strong institutional support, particularly from the Army Chief.
With their latest victories, Pakistan's long-range shooters are proving that they are becoming a formidable force on the global stage — and their journey is just getting started.
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