WILLEMSTAD – On June 21 and 22, 2025, the Olympic Shooting Sports Federation of Curaçao (OSFC) held its very first national championships in the 10-meter air pistol disciplines. This two-day event marked a significant milestone for the sport on the island and was also a moment of recognition for a pioneer in Curaçaoan shooting sports: Jeanne Yvette Lopes. She was officially honored for her decades-long dedication to the sport both in Curaçao and throughout the former Netherlands Antilles.
Lopes represented the Netherlands Antilles as an Olympic athlete at the 1988 Olympic Games and was also a finalist at both the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games in the 1980s. Her role as a trailblazer and her unwavering dedication have served as an inspiration for multiple generations of shooters on the island.
High-Level Competition and Record-Breaking Performances
The championships, held at the Asiento Shooting Club grounds, attracted participants of various ages and skill levels. The performances spoke for themselves, with several athletes achieving personal bests and season-high scores, highlighting the high level of competition.
June 21 – Men and Men Junior
The opening day featured the men’s and junior men’s categories. Philip Elhage was in excellent form, securing the gold medal with a season-best score of 567 points. Sedney Martes claimed silver, followed by Paulo Rodrigues in third.
In the junior division, both Alan Feng and Venesh Santhiappan achieved new personal records, earning them first and second place respectively in their category.
June 22 – Women and Women Junior
The second day was dedicated to female participants. Ingrid Gonesh took home the gold with an impressive personal best of 563 points. Mikayla Huizer, who also achieved a personal best, earned the silver medal, while Sara Meijer completed the podium with bronze.
In the junior women’s competition, Guru Priya Santhiappan was crowned champion, setting a season-best score of 536, reaffirming her steady rise within the sport.
A Promising Future for Shooting Sports in Curaçao
The OSFC expressed great satisfaction with the championships. Not only were personal records broken by Ingrid Gonesh, Alan Feng, Venesh Santhiappan, and Mikayla Huizer, but it was also clear that Olympic shooting sports in Curaçao are on the rise.
Looking Ahead: Mixed Team Competition
The next phase of the shooting season will follow shortly. On Saturday, July 5, the qualification rounds for the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition will take place, followed by the finals on Sunday, July 6, once again at the Asiento shooting range. This upcoming event provides another opportunity for shooters to prove themselves and compete at a national level.
Additionally, on Friday, June 27, Vedha Santhiappan will compete as the sole athlete in the air rifle discipline qualification round, marking another key moment in the growing local shooting calendar.
Symbolic and Inspirational
The tribute to Jeanne Yvette Lopes during the championships not only highlighted the importance of Curaçao’s sports history but also served as a powerful source of inspiration for the next generation of athletes. The OSFC reiterated its ambition to continue growing the sport with more competitions, youth development programs, and greater international presence.
The success of this first national championship lays a strong foundation for the future of Olympic shooting sports on the island.
