USA based marksman Sigmund Douglas hitting the bullseye from miles

May 14, 2013 Sports

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– committed to Guyana & the sport

By Franklin Wilson in Barbados
He has the distinction of being the lone Guyanese that has consistently invested in coming back to represent his nation in a sport that Guyana has been dominating for many years at the Caribbean level, we’re talking of Fullbore Rifle Shooting and the marksman in focus, is Sigmund Douglas who resides in the United States of America.

Douglas took some time out from his demanding schedule in Barbados to have a chat with Kaieteur Sport on his love for the sport and his commitment to representing the Golden Arrowhead.
The former Meadowbrook Gardens resident disclosed that he first started shooting in 1983 under the guidance of current West Indies Fullbore Captain and Guyana Wind Coach, Paul Slowe.
“I started at the TSU Ranges with Paul Slowe where he used to teach me with the .22 rifle and I graduated from there and started fullbore at Timehri, since then I’ve never looked back.”
Douglas would have shot for Guyana on numerous occasions over the years and as he puts it, “With some success.”
The best year for Douglas representing Guyana to date was in 2010 at Bisley in England.
“We were fortunate to bring home gold medals from that shoot where we also made the prize list on a couple of occasions at that same event.”
This year will mark 25years since Douglas would have migrated and of all these years he has only missed representing Guyana on two occasions.
Asked what is the motivating factor that brings him back to his homeland at a heavy cost to himself, this was Douglas’ response:
“I love rifle shooting, anything to do with firearms I have a love for it. The passion is still there, I haven’t lost the zest and zeal and of course I haven’t yet achieved what I want to achieve in the sport.”
Asked what it is that he would like to accomplish, the mechanic by profession said: “My dream is to win the Queens final at Bisley in England. In 2010 I missed getting into the second stage by a single point. There, after the first stage, 300 shooters go forward to the second stage and then the final is with 100 shooters. So that’s what I would like to achieve, it’s my dream”.
Douglas noted that in recent years his level of competitiveness has come on and is crediting former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, who is also Guyana’s Wind Coach, with this improvement.
“You know, former Vice President of the Guyana National Rifle Association Neville Denny told me once that when you reach the age of 50, you will enjoy your best years in the sport and he is certainly correct, I’m enjoying it having gone past the half century mark a few years now.”
Douglas, competing at the West Indies Championships hosted by Guyana in 2012, shot a possible in the team match.
Back in the USA, to keep active, Douglas has an electronic trainer which is known as a Scatt and would also do some Air Rifle training as well as some fullbore shooting at the Ranges whenever he gets the time based on his job.
“It’s a little different in the US job wise. I work Tuesday to Friday and would normally go to the ranges Sunday and Monday’s as much as possible”.
Douglas shared that it is an expensive venture for him to come and represent Guyana, “It’s kind of tough but I’ve made a commitment to the sport and I have put things in place where I budget and plan for these tours”.
The outspoken Douglas took some time to share his views on how he would like to see the sport progress in his homeland.
“One of the things I would like to see for the improvement of fullbore shooting in Guyana on a whole is more sponsorship being available. It’s not a spectator sport where we could garner funds; we have to depend on Government and corporate Guyana to assist.
When I look back over the years under the Captaincy of Mahendra Persaud, I think we are the most successful sporting association in Guyana. We have done it all, we are the undisputed champions of the ranges in the Caribbean and I don’t think we are given the credit that is due to us.”
He noted that the sport is not a cheap one since a proper rifle can cost as much as US$6000, apart from the other equipment which would include your scope, gloves, hat, jacket etc.
“I feel that something should be put in place where we get more support and recognition for what we are doing. We have a lot of unsound heroes in the current team make up and you can pick anyone of us in that regard, we are true Guyanese sons doing our country proud despite the challenges we face. We just do what we have to do for club and country but country comes first.”
“Regardless of what people might think about Guyanese here and there, we are the best fullbore rifle shooting team in the West Indies, every country wants to dethrone us. What we have is what the others don’t have; we have a togetherness that is second to none. We might have our ups and downs but when it comes to team, the cohesiveness is paramount, this is what guides us to success.”
Douglas offered some words of encouragement and advice to persons who might have a love and desire to be a part of the sport.
“Rifle shooting is unique, it teaches you discipline, you’ve got to be true to yourself and once you start, that gun powder is addictive, you wouldn’t want to stop. You’ve got guys like Mr. Richard Fields who is in the business for over 50 years and Paul Slowe close to 40 years.
It’s the only sport that I know of that there is no retirement age, you can start from as young as 15 and you can shoot until 80 plus.
Its mental, it’s physical but it’s a beautiful sport that you wouldn’t regret if you joined the ranks.”

 

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