New Rifle and Pistol finals have been presented in Changwon, Korea, where the first ISSF World Cup Stage in these events was officially opened today. The finals of the 10 Olympic Rifle and Pistol events will be reshaped. Final matches will start from zero, and include eliminations and medal duels.
The 2013 ISSF Rifle & Pistol World Cup in Changwon, Korea, kicked-off today with the official Opening Ceremony, at the presence of ISSF and local authorities.
300 athletes coming from 30 countries, for a total of 500 starts, registered to participate in this ISSF Rifle & Pistol World Cup Stage of the season. Changwon’s is indeed the first of the four legs of this year’s ISSF World Cup Series in the 10 Olympic rifle and pistol events.
The athletes were welcomed at the Opening Ceremony by the President of the Korean Shooting Federation, Mr. Kim Hyunchung, by the vice-mayor of the host city, Mr. Cho Kiho, and by Korea’s Vice Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism, Mr. Park Jongkil. The competition was then officially opened by Mr. Woo Jae Lee, a member of the ISSF Executive Committee.
The ISSF Secretary General Franz Schreiber thanked the Organizers, and welcomed the participants, wishing them success in behalf of the ISSF President, Mr. Olegario Vazquez Raña.
“Here in Korea we are introducing the new ISSF rules, that reshape our finals. As for the new Shotgun finals (that were introduced at the first ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Acapulco, in March, ed.) also Rifle and Pistol finals will start from zero points.” Mr. Schreiber said, at today’s opening ceremony.
“Qualification scores will not be carried forward into the finals. Furthermore, during the final phases, eliminations and duels will be conducted, to select the medal winners. Medal decisions will be immediate and engaging. It’s an important move for our sport, and the first official step is taken here in Changwon.” Mr. Schreiber added.
During the opening ceremony, the ISSF Secretary General Franz Schreiber and the ISSF Vice-President Gary Anderson awarded the 2012 ISSF Shooter of the Year trophies to the Olympic Champions Niccolò Campriani of Italy and Kim Jangmi of Korea, in recognition of their unique performances during the past season.
The first final matches of this ISSF Rifle and Pistol World Cup Stage in Changwon - the 10m Air Rifle and the 50m Pistol Men - are scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday 4 April.
Check the schedule of the ten events, and follow the match at www.issf-sports.org