• The four-day competition began with a safety officers and officials' shoot on Wednesday and Thursday.
• "We have grown in leaps and bounds," said Ndung'u.
Image: ERICK BARASA
Kenya is hoping to host more editions of the International Defensive Pistol Association at a global level in the near future.
Ibrahim Ndung'u, assistant match director for the just-concluded IDPA African Championship at the Kirigiti Shooting Range, said the country has shown it has the capacity to host events of global magnitude.
"For us to host an event of such level; tier 4, which is the highest level of shooting competition, shows we are respected as a country that has produced enough number of IDPA shooters. You can't be allowed to host these championships if you don't have the required number of registered members," Ndung'u said.
Ndung'u hopes Kenya will be considered as hosts for the International Practical Shooting Confederation African tournament, which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa next month.
"Maybe the next edition of the championship will be held here now that we have managed to successfully host the IPDA event. This year, it will be held in Johannesburg and six of us will be traveling there to compete against the rest of Africa," he said.
This year's IDPA continental showpiece was the first to be held outside South Africa. It brought together 207 shooters from around the country and Africa.
The four-day competition began with safety officers and officials' shoot on Wednesday and Thursday before the main tournament on Saturday and Sunday.
Ndung'u bemoaned that the Covid-19 pandemic had inhibited many foreign competitors who had initially expressed an interest in participating.
"We had over 10 of them who had registered to compete but couldn't make it because of the Covid-19 protocols in their countries and also the procedure of getting the permits to bring in their firearms. All in all, we had two foreigners from Ukraine and Spain who were here with us from day one," he said.
Nonetheless, Ndung'u is optimistic the country will go places in shooting considering the progress they have made since Kenya first hosted an IDPA-sanctioned event in Mombasa in 2019.
"We have grown in leaps and bounds. I remember in Mombasa where we were required to raise at least 75 shooters as per the rules and we struggled to reach that number. But today, we have comfortably raised 200 shooters according to the requirements of tier 4 competitions," Ndung'u said.
Sammy Onyango, Jonathan Wahome and Ibrahim Ndung'u were some of the biggest winners in the tournament, emerging top in various categories. Ndung'u won the Stock Service Pistol Master Class category, ahead of Thomas Kiilu and Mohammed Omar.
He also emerged winner in the SSP High category. Onyango won the Enhanced Stock Pistol Master Class category ahead of Eric Wachira and Samuel Chacha in second and third respectively. 17-year old Wahome, the youngest shooter at the event, took home top honours in the High Junior category.
Winners
SSP DIVISION
* SSP MASTER CLASS*
1. Ibrahim Ndungu
2. Thomas Kiilu
3. Mohammad Omar
* SSP EXPERT CLASS*
1. Daniel Mutiso
2. Wilson Kabugi
3. Memba Muriuki
* SSP SHARPSHOOTER CLASS*
1. Peter Muli
2. Joshua Vundi
3. Soi Kilonzo
SSP MARKSMAN CLASS
1. Pravir Vora
2. David Lengees
3. Anthony Wambua
SSP NOVICE CLASS
1. Agatha Muchiri
2. Hillary Angelo
3. Jeremiah Doki
ESP DIVISIONESP MASTER CLASS
1. Sammy Onyango
2. Eric Wachira
3. Samuel Chacha
ESP EXPERT CLASS
1. Anthony Wahome
2. Mike Kiptanui
3. Mohammad Aden
ESP SHARPSHOOTER CLASS
1. John Narumbe
2. Böris Zelinsky
3. MohammadNoor Ahmed
ESP MARKSMAN CLASS
1. Issa Issa
2. Sangam Channa
3. Joel Lesikamoi
CCP DIVISIONCCP SHARPSHOOTER CLASS
1. Peter Njoroge
2. Omar Moosa
3. Gikonyo Mwangi
CCP MARKSMAN CLASS
1. Muzahim Taib
2. Orlando Lyomu
3. Robert Kibutiri
CCP NOVICE CLASS
1. Patrick Makau
2. Shabram Athman
CO DIVISIONCO EXPERT CLASS
1. Tony Karanja
2. Sunny Syan
CO SHARPSHOOTER CLASS
1. Gerard Edo
PCC DIVISIONPCC EXPERT CLASS
1. Geoffrey Pesa
PCC SHARPSHOOTER CLASS
1. Sylvester Gitau
2. Adan Barrow
3. Ibrahim Annous
DIVISION WINNERS SSP HIGH
- Ibrahim Ndungu
ESP HIGH
- Sammy Onyango
CCP HIGH
- Peter Njoroge
CO HIGH
- Tony Karanja
PCC HIGH
- Geoffrey Pesa
BUG HIGH
- Elias Kavwagi
CATEGORY WINNERS
Sammy Onyango High Industry
James thuo High Senior
Gerard Edo High International (Foreign)
James Ekaale High Law Enforcement
Elizabeth Onyango High Lady
Orlando Lyomu High Press
Irene Ndunda High Military
Sunny Syan High Distinguished Senior
Jonathan Wahome High Junior