WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s national shooting team delivered a series of strong performances during an international campaign in Europe at the end of May, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the island’s shooting sports program on the international stage.
The team participated in the INTARSO Reflex Shooting Cup in Belgium before continuing with training sessions and additional competitions in the Netherlands. Representing Curaçao in the 10-meter air pistol discipline were athletes Mikayla Huizer, Philip Elhage, and Paulo Rodrigues.
One of the standout performances came from Mikayla Huizer, who achieved a personal best score of 550 points in Belgium. The result earned her seventh place in the women’s competition. Huizer’s opening series of 98 points was the highest women’s score recorded during that round of the event. Despite the impressive performance, she narrowly missed qualification for the Superfinal by a single position due to the tournament’s modified finals format.
Philip Elhage also enjoyed a successful campaign, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout the competition. He qualified for the finals on all three competition days and advanced to the Superfinal. With scores of 565, 558, and 563 points, Elhage recorded his strongest international average in more than three years.
Paulo Rodrigues likewise achieved a significant milestone, producing what team officials described as his best international performance to date. Rodrigues improved his score by more than 30 points compared to previous international appearances and was praised for the mental resilience he displayed throughout the competition.
According to team representatives, the results reflect the steady development of shooting sports in Curaçao and demonstrate that local athletes are becoming increasingly competitive against international opponents.
The European tour provided valuable experience for the athletes as they continue preparing for future regional and international competitions. Team officials expressed confidence that the performances in Belgium and the Netherlands are an encouraging sign of the progress being made within Curaçao’s shooting program.
With personal records, consistent final-round appearances, and significant individual improvements, the campaign marked one of the most successful international outings for the Curaçao shooting team in recent years.