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Two historic competitions officially opened today in Suhl

Hundreds of young athletes from all around the world gathered in the city of Thuringia, where the first-ever ISSF Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol and the first-ever ISSF World Championship Running Target kicked-off today with one collective opening ceremony.

A huge crowd gathered today in Suhl (GER) to welcome the athletes, coaches and officials that, starting from tomorrow, will animate two of the most awaited competitions of the Shooting sport season: the ISSF Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol and the ISSF World Championship Target Sprint, both taking place for the very first time.

 

The ISSF Vice-President, Mr. Gary Anderson addressed the crowd from the podium: “On behalf of the International Shooting Sport Federation, I welcome you all to the first ISSF Junior World Championship for Rifle and Pistol and to the first ISSF World Target Sprint Championship,” he said.

 

“The ISSF has included junior Rifle and Pistol competitions in its World Championship in All Events since 1958, but after the 2012 London Olympics, we recognized that the future of Olympic Shooting required more competition opportunities for junior Rifle and Pistol athletes,” he added. “And this year, the ISSF is taking the next big step: these athletes, who previously have had only one Junior World Championship every four years will now have Junior World Championships every two years.”

 

During his speech, Mr. Anderson also praised the newly-introduced discipline of the Shooting Sport scene: “Target Sprint represents an ISSF commitment to also include action and fitness in the shooting sport.  Its healthy combination of air rifle shooting and running has brought an exciting dynamic and many new participants to our Olympic sport. After successful tests in several cities in Germany and other countries, the time has come to also give Target Sprint athletes their own World Championship,” declared the ISSF Vice-President.

 

“Today’s inauguration of two new ISSF World Championships that point to our future with more action, an emphasis on 10m shooting and a clear focus on youth, will be remembered as one of the most important days in the history of our International Federation.” Concluded Mr. Anderson, then declaring the two championships officially open.

 

543 junior shooters will compete in the ISSF Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol, representing 65 National Olympic Committees and piling up 978 starts; the Target Sprint competition, instead, will see the participation of 78 athletes from 10 nations.

 

Both competition will deliver their first world titles tomorrow. The 50m Rifle Prone Men Junior final is scheduled at 1:30 pm (UTC+2:00), while four Target Sprint races will take place: the Target Sprint Women Junior at 5:20 pm, the Target Sprint Women at 5:40 pm, the Target Sprint Men Junior at 6:00 pm and the Target Sprint Men at 6:20 pm.

 

Live results of the competitions, news and updates will be available on www.issf-sports.org and on all ISSF social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Weibo and Youku.

Marco Vettoretti

 

ISSF Partners