From 3 to 5 July 2026, the Dušan Poženel Rečica pri Laškem Shooting Club organised the 36th National Pistol Championship at 25 m. For the seventh year in a row, competitors in 25 m pistol disciplines gathered at the Rečica shooting range in various categories.
The first national champions were crowned on Friday
With 101 participants registered, the competition began on Friday afternoon. The competition was opened by competitors with centre-fire pistol 25m and cadets with pistol 25m. The first senior national champion of this national championship was Jože Čeper (DPR), who was joined on the podium with a bronze medal by his club colleague Peter Tkalec. The silver medal was won by Emerik Hodžić (IXP). The home team became the team national champions, with SD Proarmis in second place and the SD Kovinar Ormož team in third place. Among the senior women, the national champion was the current European junior champion Eva Vodopivec (DPR), Denis Bola Ujčič (POS) took second place, and Urška Strnad (OLI) was third. Among the cadets, Luka Vanič won the gold medal, with Tilen Novoselc (both SK BRE) taking second place.
A varied Saturday programme
Saturday was the most varied, as the morning saw the 25m pistol competition in the junior categories and the women's category, the women's final was held, the opening of the national championship, and in the afternoon, the 25m standard pistol competition took place.
Eva Kozmelj (IZO) won the national championship title in the cadet category. Ajda Dular (GOR) took second place, and Taja Primožič (LOT) secured third. Miha Fras (PRO) became the national champion in the junior category, with Renee Lenzi (DPR) in second place and Rene Cverle (CČM) in third. In the women's category, the top 8 qualifiers competed in a tense final, after which Eva Vodopivec (DPR) became the national champion for the second time this weekend. Denis Bola Ujčič (POS) won the silver medal, and Jagoda Koroševič Koser (DPR) came in third.
This afternoon, the senior male, senior female, and junior members competed in the 25m standard pistol discipline. Jože Čeper repeated his Friday success and once again secured the title of national senior champion, Peter Tkalec (DPR) won silver, and bronze went to Bojan Fras (PRO). The home team also repeated their success in the team event, winning the title of national champions; SD Proarmis took silver, and the SD Gorjanci team won bronze. In the senior female category, the medalists from the morning competition took to the podium, but with a change at the top – Denis Bola Ujčič (POS) became the national champion in this discipline, Eva Vodopivec (DPR) achieved second place, and Jagoda Koroševič Koser (DPR) took third place. The junior national champion was Renee Lenzi (DPR), Miha Fras (PRO) won second place, and Rene Cverle (CČM) took bronze.
Sunday dedicated to the 25m sport pistol
Sunday was reserved for the 25m rapid fire pistol competition. After two qualification stages, the (new format) 25m rapid fire pistol final was also held for the first time in Rečica. Despite some initial nervousness about the unknown, the final was ultimately carried out smoothly and without complications. Jože Čeper won his third national championship title, Peter Tkalec secured the silver medal (both DPR), and Jan Hribar took home the bronze medal (JKŠ). In the team event, the SD Dušan Poženel Rečica pri Laškem team won their third gold crown, SD Kovinar Ormož won silver, and SK Brežice won bronze.
A bit of statistics
The most successful club in the national championship is SD Dušan Poženel Rečica pri Laškem, with 9 gold medals. In addition to the gold medals, they also won 4 silver and 3 bronze medals. In second place is SD Proarmis with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal. SD Postojna secured third place in terms of success with 1 gold and 2 silver medals.
Thanks from the organiser
As the 36th National Pistol Championship 25m concludes, the organisers thank all the competitors who participated, and the professional staff who ensured order, discipline, and compliance with the rules during the competition, thus greatly contributing to the quality of the organisation of the National Championship. Thank you to everyone who was part of this wonderful story!
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