Eighty-six target shooters gathered at Penbi Game Ranch from Thursday to Saturday for the first shoot of the year in the popular Natal Gong Series, setting the tone for an exciting competitive season.

The biannual event, hosted every February and November, has become a firm favourite among Hunter and Open class competitors. This year’s February shoot once again drew marksmen and women from across the country for a weekend defined by precision, focus and camaraderie.

Sisters share the spotlight

Among the competitors were sisters Charlize du Plessis (22) and Bianca du Plessis (21), who took part under the guidance of their father, Marthinus. The trio’s close bond was evident throughout the competition.

Charlize, who has been shooting for about a year, said she first took up the sport to spend more time with her father.

“For me it started as a way to bond with my dad,” she said. “Now it’s become something I really love. It’s challenging, but it’s also rewarding when you hear that gong ring.”

When she needed a partner for the event, Charlize convinced Bianca to join her just a month ago. Despite being new to the sport, Bianca showed natural talent and impressed fellow competitors with her accuracy, a reminder that target shooting is a sport open to all ages and genders.

How the competition works

The competition is run as a team event, with two shooters working together. One competitor shoots while the other acts as a spotter, guiding their partner onto steel “gong” targets placed at long distances. Team members rotate roles, earning points for each successful hit.

In the King of 1 Mile (KO1M) event, teams shoot at four steel targets over two separate stages on the first day, with a set time limit for each stage. Combined scores determine the final standings.

Over the following two days, teams compete in additional Open and Hunter class gong shoots, tackling multiple stages with varying targets. Each class has specific equipment rules: Open class allows heavier rifles and additional shooting supports, while Hunter class is more restricted, requiring lighter rifles and standard hunting-style equipment.

Results are as follows:

Hunter Class King of 1 Mile (KO1M) – Range 1
First: Nico and Erhard
Second: Driaan and Frikkie
Third: Cobus and Bernard

Hunter Class KO1M – Range 2
First: Willie and Gert
Second: Nico and Erhard
Third: Driaan and Frikkie

Hunter Class Team (Day 1)
First: Nico and Erhard
Second: Willie and Gert
Third: André and Mariska

Hunter Class Team (Day 2)
First: Willie and Gert
Second: Anthony and Keith
Third: Juan and Bernard

Open Class KO1M – Range 1
First: Pieter and Marthinus
Second: Tjoepie and JC
Third: Peet and Justin

Open Class KO1M – Range 2
First: Tjoepie and JC
Second: Danie and Werner
Third: Peet and Justin

Open Class Team (Day 1)
First: Hennie and Pieter
Second: Tjoepie and JC
Third: Byron and Vernon

Open Class Team (Day 2)
First: Hennie and Pieter
Second: Tjoepie and JC
Third: Pieter and Carel

Community spirit beyond the competition

Beyond the competition, the weekend also highlighted the strong sense of community among shooters. During prize-giving, competitors generously supported an auction in aid of a young girl who urgently needs heart surgery. She has already undergone several procedures since birth, and funds raised at the event will help support her ongoing medical care.

While the sound of steel gongs echoed across the ranch, it was the spirit of teamwork, family and generosity that truly defined the weekend with many competitors already setting their sights on November’s showdown in the Midlands.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.