Philip Elhage wins bronze at the AIROSHOOT Superfinal in Belgium and claims victory in a Dutch ranking competition. Mikayla Huizer finishes sixth in her first international final. Strong performances also mark the final local competition ahead of the Pan American Championships in Lima.
WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's shooting sport has once again achieved positive results in recent weeks, both internationally and locally. During competitions in Belgium and the Netherlands, Philip Elhage and Mikayla Huizer demonstrated their ability to compete against international opponents. The final local air pistol competition of 2026 also produced strong performances.
Philip Elhage
Podium Finish at AIROSHOOT Superfinal in Belgium
During the AIROSHOOT Superfinal in Belgium, Philip Elhage secured a bronze medal, while Mikayla Huizer achieved an impressive sixth-place finish in her first international final.
The Superfinal marks the conclusion of the international AIROSHOOT circuit, in which shooters must qualify throughout the season by participating in five different competitions. Only the top 16 shooters in the circuit rankings receive an invitation to the final event.
Elhage qualified for the final in second place with a score of 562 points. In the subsequent final round, he finished third, securing a place on the podium.
Huizer also delivered a strong performance. With 542 points, she qualified for the final in fifth place. She ultimately finished sixth, gaining valuable experience in her first final at this international level.
Throughout the AIROSHOOT season, both shooters demonstrated their ability to achieve competitive scores internationally. Elhage recorded a season-high score of 565 points, while Huizer achieved a personal best for the circuit of 550 points.
Elhage Wins Dutch Ranking Competition
Following the competitions in Belgium, Elhage returned to action on October 24, this time at the Dutch ranking competition Het Gouden Kogeltje in Rotterdam, organized by shooting club Postschutters '63.
During the competition, Elhage secured first place in the men's premier air pistol division.
The victory marked another positive step in his international competition program and provided an additional opportunity to gain competitive experience outside Curaçao.
Close Contest in Final Local Competition
The local air pistol season in Curaçao also concluded with an exciting competition.
In the women's division, Mikayla Huizer and Ingrid Gonesh both finished with 546 points. Huizer ultimately claimed first place thanks to a higher score in the final series, winning the closely contested competition.
Gonesh finished second, while Guru Priya Santhiappan secured third place with 537 points.
In the men's division, Philip Elhage claimed victory with 573 points, his highest competition score of 2026. Venesh Santhiappan finished second with 547 points, while Sedney Martis completed the podium with 512 points.
Elhage's score of 573 points represents a significant improvement over his previous competition results and confirms his positive development throughout the season.
Curaçao 2026 Final Rankings
With the final local competition completed, the overall rankings for Curaçao's 2026 air pistol season have also been determined.
Women's 10-Meter Air Pistol
1. Mikayla Huizer
2. Ingrid Gonesh
3. Guru Priya Santhiappan
Men's 10-Meter Air Pistol
1. Philip Elhage
2. Venesh Santhiappan
3. Sedney Martis
The final rankings reflect the shooters' performances throughout the entire local competition season.
Focus Shifts to Pan American Championships in Lima
The final local competition also served as an important test event in preparation for the Pan American Shooting Championships, scheduled to take place in Lima, Peru, at the end of November.
The international championship will bring together shooters from countries across the Americas.
For Curaçao's shooters, the tournament represents an important opportunity to compete against some of the region's strongest athletes and pursue qualification for the 2027 Pan American Games.
The international results in Belgium and the Netherlands, combined with the recent performances in Curaçao, demonstrate the continued development of the island's competitive pistol shooters.