The ISSF World Cup Stage 2 officially opened today in Changwon (KOR), as the Opening Ceremony was held at the Changwon Exhibition Convention Centre.
A total of 876 athletes from 70 NOCs will participate, battling in the 15 Olympic shooting events and piling up 1400 starts. The competition will be held in the new Changwon International Shooting Range, the same venue that will host the 52nd edition of the ISSF World Championship in all events— from August 31st to September 15th.
It’s the eighth time that the Korean city welcomes an ISSF World Cup stage in the last 15 years, as it previously hosted five stages in Rifle/Pistol events — dated 2003, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015 — one in Shotgun events in 2007, and a combined one in 2005.
“My friends, shooters and officials, I am very happy to be in this beautiful city again,” said Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña, President of the ISSF. “I have many Korean friends and Korea is my second home. Thank you to Mr. Hwang, President of the Korea Shooting Federation and to the whole Local Organizing Committee for their hard work, and thank you to Mr. Ahn, Mayor of the City of Changwon, for the wonderful hospitality.”
Mr. Vazquez Raña then closed his speech by officially declaring the competition open, being followed by a show of typical dances and exhibitions — followed by a live concert in the main plaza of the city.
The competition will be streamed live on the ISSF website, on the Federation’s Livestream channel and on its official Facebook page.
Live results, 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.