Archery Guyana’s 2026 Development Competition concluded at the Farm Community Centre Ground, East Bank Demerara, following two days of action featuring some of the country’s emerging and established archers.
The competition, staged over the August 29-30 weekend, attracted athletes from the Federation, Bow Nation, The Archery Guild, Golden League Archery, Pro Archers and Qayyim Archery. They competed in the Recurve, Compound and Barebow disciplines across beginner, developmental, Under-15, Under-18 and senior categories.
Official scores were recorded after 72 arrows, with Trevaughn Waldron of Bow Nation producing one of the standout performances. Waldron won the Recurve Men’s 70-metre competition with 537 points, finishing ahead of clubmate Mehandra Chatargum, who scored 524. Courtlee Rodrigues of Golden League Archery secured third with 485.
Saifullah Gani of Bow Nation claimed the Recurve Under-18 Men’s 60-metre title with 581 points, while clubmate Brandon Cummings topped the combined Recurve Under-15 competition with an impressive 647. Fatima Gani placed second with 601.
Nolan Gray of Golden League Archery also delivered a strong performance, scoring 608 points to win the combined Recurve Developmental competition at 50 metres. Duncan Sean of Bow Nation finished second with 523, while Eslyne Gomes, also of Bow Nation, took third with 478.
The depth of Guyana’s junior archery programme was evident throughout the competition. Nehan Chaturgum of Bow Nation won the combined Recurve Exceptional Beginner Under-11 category with 640 points, ahead of Emily Simon with 567 and Selima Blackman of The Archery Guild with 545.
Jeremiah Archer of Golden League Archery scored 604 to win the combined Recurve Developmental Under-15 competition. Samiyyah La Cruez of Pro Archers placed second with 495, while Daniel Cox of The Archery Guild was third with 488.
In the combined Barebow Developmental Under-15 category, Alec Simmons of Bow Nation took the title with 546 points. Suzanne Affonso, also representing Bow Nation, won the Barebow Developmental Women’s 50-metre competition with 486.
The event was intended to serve as more than a medal competition. It provided new archers with their first experience in a competitive environment while allowing developing athletes to test themselves over longer distances and at higher levels.
Speaking at the closing medal ceremony, Archery Guyana President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon congratulated the athletes and thanked the coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and supporters who contributed to the successful staging of the event.
Persaud-McKinnon said the competition formed part of the athletes’ preparation for greater challenges at the national, regional and international levels.
“Wear your medals proudly, but don’t let them become your finish line. And to those who didn’t medal: learn, adjust and come back stronger,” she told the participants.
Attention will now turn to Guyana’s hosting of the international championships at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from October 22 to 26.
“We are not just preparing to participate—we are preparing to host, compete and showcase what Guyana can do,” Persaud-McKinnon said.
Special appreciation was extended to Director of Shooting Afzal Karim, Judge Ryan McKinnon and Results Manager Saeed Karim for overseeing the technical aspects of the competition.
Archery Guyana also thanked Guyana Beverages Inc. for supporting the event and Puneet Jaigopaul, Chairman of the Little Diamond/Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council, for facilitating the use of the Farm Community Centre Ground.
The Federation said these partnerships are important to creating opportunities for athletes to train, compete and develop within their communities.
Other category results
Ravish Singh of Pro Archers won the Compound Under-15 Men’s category with 396 points, while Richard Dookie of The Archery Guild captured the combined Barebow 50-metre title with 441. Melesa Ramnaraine and Juanita Persaud of Bow Nation followed with 411 and 367, respectively.
Grayson Hooper of The Archery Guild won the Recurve Beginner Men’s category with 269 points. Aalim Kahn of Bow Nation scored 581 to win the combined Recurve Beginner Under-15 competition, ahead of Addison Jagnandan of Pro Archers with 232.
Ryan Chabenauth of The Archery Guild won the Barebow Beginner Men’s 30-metre competition with 543 points, beating Shiva Tularam of Golden League Archery, who scored 470.
Shianne Affonso-Simon led a Bow Nation one-two finish in the Barebow Beginner Women’s category, scoring 640 points. Jo-Lee Zammet placed second with 604, while Trichell Sobers of Golden League Archery was third with 495.
Samuel George of Qayyim Archery won the combined Barebow Beginner Under-18 category with 472 points. Anna Headley of Golden League Archery placed second with 455, while Ameerah Khan of Pro Archers was third with 159.
Neepa Chaturgum of Bow Nation topped the Barebow Beginner Under-15 Women’s competition with 577 points. Victoria Kum and Kaia Singh of The Archery Guild completed the podium with 490 and 489, respectively. Zareya Bacchus placed fourth, Aleandra Rodrigues fifth and Sarah Ali sixth.
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