Istanbul ignites the 2025 ESC Air Rifle / Air Pistol Champions League

The Champions League 2025 made its mark in Istanbul as the spotlight shifted from shotgun to Air Rifle and Pistol.

Over three intense days, 32 top athletes from across Europe - 16 men’s and women’s teams - fought for glory in one of the most exciting stages of the competition so far. The atmosphere was electric, and Istanbul delivered a show to remember.

For the host nation, this event turned into a golden story. Turkish athletes dominated the team competitions, taking three out of four Gold medals in front of their home crowd. In the Air Pistol Team Men event, Yusuf Dikeç and Mustafa İnan powered their way to the top. Their female teammates, Şevval Elayda Tarhan and Esra Bozabali, kept the winning run alive in the Air Pistol Team Women. The Golden streak continued in the Air Rifle Team Women, where Damla Köse and Elif Berfin Altun secured another first-place finish. The only exception came in the Air Rifle Team Men, where Hungary’s Zalán Tibor Pekler and István Márton Péni showed their class to claim the title.

The Solo format, a recent addition to the Champions League, once again delivered high drama and unforgettable moments. With everything on the line, two athletes rose above the rest: Jeanette Hegg Duestad from Norway, who took the Air Rifle Solo gold with calm precision, and Pavlo Korostylov from Ukraine, whose nerves of steel brought him victory in the Air Pistol Solo. Both confirmed their reputation as some of the finest shooting athletes in Europe.

The excitement on the range was matched by the voices of the athletes themselves, who spoke of the intensity of the battles and the thrill of writing new chapters in the Champions League. One of those voices was Hungary’s István Péni:

“I’m really happy that we could once again win the Champions League trophy. It’s a unique and challenging competition, but also a great celebration of our sport with an amazing atmosphere. I’m grateful to the organizers, ESC leadership, and Mr. Vladimir Lisin for making it possible, and I hope this League will continue to grow into a lasting tradition. It's a different structure and atmosphere from what we usually experience at other events, which makes it both challenging and exciting. And of course, one of my goals is to see our team’s name engraved on the trophy many more times in the future!”

The event’s success was built not only on outstanding performances but also on the seamless organization and warm hospitality of the Turkish Shooting and Hunting Federation, led by President Murat Kocakaya. Istanbul welcomed distinguished guests from Montenegro, Ireland, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia, and the Netherlands, confirming its role as a true hub for international sport.

Leaders of the ESC member federations also took the opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the Open Table meetings held earlier in Madrid and Frankfurt am Main, as well as the possibilities for future gatherings on competition grounds. Vessela Letcheva, President of the Bulgarian Shooting Federation, shared her impressions:

“First of all, I want to thank for the opportunity to share my experience during the discussion at the Open Table. I warmly welcome the forum, where we can discuss all aspects and challenges facing our beloved sport shooting. This is an opportunity to raise questions about how to improve and develop our organisation in the coming years, and to establish a better platform and plans to build a sustainable future for our community. The Open Table will be very useful for creating and promoting the best practices and ideas from each member of our society. Thank you for joining! This is the best step towards building our future together”.

The Champions League now looks ahead to its next big stage - the ESC Youth League 2025 in Budapest. The future of European shooting is just around the corner, and it promises to be just as thrilling.

Találkozunk Budapesten!

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