European Youth Championships U16 and U18
The European U16 and U18 Youth Championships are taking place in Tallinn from 9 to 15 February. After the first performances, we can already look forward to a top success. Gal Potrč, for whom this is his first appearance at the European Championships, withstood the pressure perfectly and won the European U18 Air Rifle title with an outstanding shooting performance, setting a new European record in this category. He was joined on the podium by his teammate with a bronze medal Maksimilijan Žarić. The Slovenian anthem was played in Tallinn, and we are very proud of that. Gal Potrč is a member of the Ruse Rifle Association I. Pohorski Battalion. »It was amazing to compete in such a competition for the first time. I felt a lot of pressure on the line, but at the same time I was perfectly focused. When I received the gold medal and heard the Slovenian anthem, I was overwhelmed with joy. In that moment I got the confirmation that all the effort and hard work was not in vain.« His coach, Simon Potrč: “I am delighted that Gal has already had the performance he wanted at his first European Championships. Every day in training we practice different techniques and tactics on how to react in such big competitions and I can say that the whole team of the association contributed a little bit of the best, but Gal is the one who, to our satisfaction, was able to put it all together and make the best use of it. Congratulations also to Maksimilijan Žarič for the bronze medal.” National team manager Andreja Vlah said that the Slovenian national team is proud of the unique success of the Slovenian juniors.
The President of the SZS is also looking forward to the successes, Ljubo Germič: »Today we are once again witnessing a remarkable success of the shooting sport, of our young air rifle shooters. Gal Potrč from Ruse won the gold medal at the European Shooting Championships with a new European record. His success was complemented by Maksimiljan Žarič's third place and bronze medal. Congratulations to both of them for their outstanding success, which proves the good work with young shooters within the Shooting Federation of Slovenia. Congratulations also to all the coaches and the head of the national team, as well as to all our other representatives at the competition, who show a high level of knowledge with their results. Fingers crossed for all the rest of our competitors whose performances are still awaited.« The promising Slovenian junior is not hiding his joy either Maksimilijan Žarić, member of the Olimpija Shooting Club: »Great match and great experience. It was a great experience and a great medal. I am very proud and happy that they played the Slovenian national anthem for my friend and fellow shooter Gal Potrč, who fought very well until the last shot, despite the early hour.«
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