International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) – German shooter Doreen Vennekamp has been named the ISSF Female Athlete of the Year for 2023, a prestigious accolade following her remarkable performance in the women’s 25m pistol event. The 28-year-old from Gelnhausen achieved this honor after equaling the world record at the ISSF World Championships in Baku.
Vennekamp’s stellar performance saw her scoring 40 shots, matching the record set by Hungary’s Veronika Major in 2019. Heading into the final series with an eight-shot lead, she secured her victory confidently and also earned a quota place for Germany for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Her season was highlighted by several notable achievements, including a win at one of the six World Cup events in Bhopal and a silver finish at the World Cup Final in Doha. Vennekamp’s success extended beyond her record-setting performance in Baku, as she continued to demonstrate her skill and precision in various competitions throughout the year.
The ISSF Athlete of the Year award, revived by the Athletes Committee after a five-year hiatus, follows the original rules established in 1984. The award aims to recognize not just success and victories but also the shooters who embody the values of commitment and exemplary character in the sport.
Votes for the award were cast by members of the Athletes Committee, Coaches Committee, and ISSF media representatives, with a total of 11 female shooters receiving nominations. Vennekamp emerged as the clear favorite, accumulating 59 points in the voting process.
The runner-up for the award was Slovakia’s Danka Bartekova, an IOC member and London 2012 bronze medalist, who won her first world title in women’s skeet at 38. Tied for third place were Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad and China’s Jiayu Han, both of whom had impressive performances in their respective events.
The ISSF plans to present the award to Vennekamp at the opening ISSF World Cup of the season in Cairo later this month, celebrating her as a role model who exemplifies the spirit and dedication inherent in competitive shooting.
