The opening day of the 132nd South Australian Kings Prize delivered excellent competition at the Lower Light Rifle Range, with competitors contesting the first day of the Kings Series across Target Rifle, F-Class and Sporter disciplines.

Target Rifle competitors faced the 300m, 500m and 600m ranges, while F-Class and Sporter competitors competed over two 500m and two 600m ranges. Across the day, competitors produced a number of impressive performances as the race for the 2026 Kings Prize got underway.

Target Rifle A

CTV’s Frank O Pinyon led Target Rifle A with an aggregate of 200.17, followed by Mount Gambier’s Flav Konieczny on 200.14 and Murray Bridge’s Robert Paech on 199.28.

Target Rifle B

Maitland’s Jeffrey Dayman finished Day 1 in front in Target Rifle B with 193.18. Ben Hooper of Mount Gambier followed on 192.11, with CTV’s Connor Bland close behind on 190.18.

F-Standard A

Alan Mathison of Armidale Rifle Club Inc led F-Standard A with 234.06. Maitland’s John Habets followed on 233.15, while Graham Crowe of Explorers completed the leading group.

F-Open A

Light River’s Karen Conlon set the pace in F-Open A with 237.22. She was followed by Cameron Whant of Phoenix Target on 236.17 and fellow Phoenix Target shooter Trevor Haythorpe on 235.25.

F/TR A

Maitland’s Lynton Wakefield led F/TR A with 234.21, narrowly ahead of Marty Kelly of Wangaratta on 234.19. Chris Aggeletos of Loxton finished the day in third place with 230.13.

Sporter Production Open

Mount Barker’s Mark De Laine led the Sporter Production Open field with 200.29, following a remarkable perfect 50.10 at 500m. Colac’s John Mammoliti followed on 200.24, with Mark Barletta of Postal & Railways rounding out the top three on 199.25.

A sincere thank you to all competitors, range officials, volunteers, scorers, butts staff, caterers, sponsors and supporters who contributed to a successful opening day.

Competition continues today with Day 2 of the Kings Series, featuring the 700m and 800m ranges. Good luck to all competitors as the 132nd South Australian Kings Prize continues.