Category: Shooting

by Abhishek Shukla

Doreen Vennekamp Crowned ISSF Female Athlete of the Year 2023

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.

by Abhishek Shukla

ISSF Executive Committee Dismisses General Secretary Wilheim Grill

December 20, 2023 – In a surprising turn of events, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Executive Committee convened in an extraordinary meeting on December 19, 2023, leading to the dismissal of Mr. Willi Grill as the ISSF Secretary General. The decision, effective immediately, follows the conclusion of an independent internal investigation, the details of which remain undisclosed.

The ISSF, overseeing the global governance of shooting sports, announced that while Grill’s employment contract will officially terminate on March 31, 2024, he has been relieved of all duties effective immediately. This move signals a significant shift in the administrative structure of the ISSF, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining high professional standards within the organization.

In the interim, ISSF President Luciano Rossi will assume the duties of the General Secretary. Rossi, backed by the Vice-Presidents and ISSF staff, will oversee the federation’s operations until a new Secretary General is appointed. This temporary arrangement underscores the ISSF’s need for stable leadership in a period of administrative transition.

The ExCo has scheduled its next meeting for February 19, 2024, with a critical agenda that includes discussing potential candidates for the now-vacant Secretary General position. Additionally, the meeting will focus on proposed improvements to the office structure at the ISSF Headquarters in Munich. These developments are expected to enhance the operational efficiency and uphold the integrity of the ISSF’s management.

This decision marks a pivotal moment for the ISSF, as it navigates through administrative upheavals while striving to maintain its stature in the world of international sports governance. The federation’s next steps, particularly in selecting Grill’s successor, will be closely watched by the global shooting sports community.

Further details regarding the nature of the investigation leading to Grill’s dismissal have not been made public. The ISSF maintains that the decision was made after thorough consideration, reflecting their commitment to transparency and ethical governance.

by Abhishek Shukla

Khelo India Youth Games is a brilliant initiative: India’s shooting prodigy Manu Bhaker

India’s shooting prodigy Manu Bhaker, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games last year, has lauded the Khelo India Youth Games initiative by the Indian sports ministry. She expressed that the competition provides a brilliant platform for youngsters to showcase their talent. 

“I had never thought that there could be a competition like Khelo India. Everyone used to say the one can have a good life only if he or she studies well, but one cannot make a career in sports. I think the Khelo India Games is a fantastic platform for youngsters to showcase their talent. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Sports Minister for this initiative,” said the 17-year-old.

Bhaker, who secured a berth at the Tokyo Olympics through a good performance in the shooting World Cup in Munich earlier this year, has not started preparing for the quadrennial Games as yet.

“I am excited about the Olympics 2019. I will discuss a few plans with my coach and then implement them. For now, I am just going through my regular drills. I practice for 5-6 hours a day on average. There are a lot of sporting events ahead of the Olympics. They will serve as good preparation for the Olympics,” said Bhaker.

The young shooter set a junior world record in the women’s 10m air pistol at the World Cup Finals in Putian in November this year. Bhaker, who has brought many laurels to her country, spoke about the undying support she has received from her family throughout her career so far.

“My parents have always been supportive of whichever game I have picked up, in my academics and cultural activities. Once I started excelling in shooting, my father reduced his travels for the Merchant Navy company he was working for, in order to be there for me. Before taking up shooting seriously, I had played a lot of other sports. I used to keep trying different sports every month. I was interested to try every sport and it was my parents who asked me to take up shooting,” Bhaker signed off.