Airforce Wachira lifts CDF trophy

Corporal Moses Wachira from Kenya Defence Forces is the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Cup shooting champion.

Wachira downed 67.1 points from 900m in a thrilling final round that involved 15 other finalists to prevail as the four-day championship ended on Friday at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Shooting Range, Laikipia.

The 40-year-old Wachira, who is a Super X class firer, edged out X Class’ Peter Muli from the General Service Unit (GSU) to second place in 66.4, as the reigning Kenya Open Sanford Otundo (GSU) finished third with 65.5.

“The current rains made the course look much better and visible. We didn’t have to battle the mirage that was synonymous with previous events owing to dry and hot weather,” said Wachira.

Wachira noted that competition was much stiffer this time around with firers showing much improvement having had sessions with British coach Bill Richards.

“The review of classification that saw people drop classes made them work hard to redeem their positions,” said Wachira, who now turn focus on Kenya Open Bisley Championship due June 3-9 this year at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Shooting Range, Laikipia.

Former Kenya Open champion Christopher Saina, who is fresh from taking part at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, found the final show down tough to settle fourth on 65.2 followed by defending champion Grace Rantile (GSU) on 65.0.

Fredrick Mwema (GSU) carded 63.3 for sixth place, beating Ernest Mwendwa (KDF) on count back as Simon Ndambuki from Rift valley came in eighth on 62.4. Clifford Kiptarus (GSU) garnered 62.2 for ninth place as John Ihugo (Railways) short 61.7 to wrap up the top 10 vanguard.

The only other lady to reach the final besides Rantile was Priscillah Wangui from Kenya Police College. Wangui shot 57.2 to wind 11th.

Saina, who is a Super X Class firer, went into the final on top with an aggregate of 581.025 drawn from his short and long range of 286.021 and 281.025 respectively.

Wachira came in second with an aggregate of 564.046 made of 291.028 and 272.018 followed by Elphas Ng’etich (DCI) in third on 553.039 (289.027, 264.012).

Saina had won both Kenya Army and Kenya Air Force Commanders Trophies before John Ihugo of Railways broke the dominance top win Kenya Navy Commander Trophy.

Saina brought 567.46 to win Kenya Army contest relegating Wachira and Ng’etich to Super X 1 and Super X 2 classes on 564.46 and 553.39 respectively.

Rantile was the best lady on 539.33.

Saina downed 281.25 for Air Force top honours, beating Wachira and Philip Kipchuma (DCI) for SX1 and SX2 on 273.18 and 272.13. Rantile was once again the best lady on 28.14.