On a thrilling day of shocks, surprises and tense drama to round up this year’s Genocide memorial tournament, New Vision Pointer Archery Club were crowned champions for the first time on Saturday at Utexrwa ground in Gacuriro.

N.V.P club won by 146 points after defeating last year’s champions Social Wealth Alliance Association (SWAA) in the final.

With both sides leveled on points in the team classification, three archers from each side were selected and offered three stringed bows to propel arrows towards a target to determine the winners in the knock-out scenario.

N.V.P club archers were successful, shooting their arrows as close to the centre of the target as possible to lift this year’s trophy. Thousand Hills United Archery Club finished 3rd with 127 points.

In the women’s contest, Julienne Murekatete from N.V.P was made to work hard by her three opponents before she proved once again what a top class archer she was when it mattered.

She completed as the best female with 52 points, and afterwards, she said: "I had a fantastic game,” she told Times Sport, "I kept my nerve throughout by shooting at the target. This was because of preparing well ahead of the competition.”

Meanwhile, the men’s individual classification was won by Steven Nzayisenga from SWAA, who scooped 72 points. In the grouping, Faisal Mutase had the best total score after a set number of arrows shoot.

Rwanda Archery and Shooting Sports Federation (RASSF) plans to organize a national archery championship dubbed: "Silverback Archery Tourney” between November and December this year.

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