It's hot in Burgas – but not only because of the temperatures. The European Championship in sports shooting for juniors, boys and girls is in full swing, and the Bulgarian team once again delighted us with successes.
Silver for Pamela and Kaloyan: Hearts of Champions
The mixed duet of Pamela Popova and Kaloyan Petkov won a silver medal in the 10 m pistol discipline, category up to 16 years old. The excitement is great, because their performance in the final was really impressive. But what happened before they got to the battle for gold?
First, they had to pass the qualifications. Kaloyan, with an impressive result and a personal record of 301.2 points, showed what he could do. The semi-final brought a victory over the Ukrainian team, with a score of 12:10. It's a pity that the battle for gold ended with a defeat against the individual neutral athletes Anastasia Tutka and Rostislav Mozil – 7:12. Still, silver is a success, isn't it?
“I feel very proud and I am glad that I am European vice-champion,” Pamela shared after the award ceremony. “I didn't believe that I would get here and have a medal from a European Championship and on our land.” Definitely dreams come true, and ambitions grow.
Pamela revealed that she drew inspiration from the legends in shooting, Maria Grozdeva and Yusuf Dikech. Studying from the best is the key to success, isn't it?
For Kaloyan Petkov, this is his second medal from the championship, which is a reason for double joy. He already had team gold, together with Boris Dimitrov and Daniel Delchevski. Kaloyan's individual performance, although with 5th place, left a bitter taste, but shooting is like that – sometimes luck is not on your side.
“As it was yesterday, the feeling is indescribable,” said Kaloyan. “I set a new personal record and managed to deal with my thinking while shooting in the final. Now the goal is tomorrow for the trio together with my teammates to shoot again in the final, to shoot for Bulgaria, to win gold and to hear the Bulgarian anthem.” Isn't that the real sporting spirit?
The Third Award for Bulgaria
The silver medal of Pamela and Kaloyan is the third for Bulgaria at this championship. Before that, our country triumphed with a team title in the 10 m pistol up to 16 years old, and Denitsa Tosheva won silver in the individual competition of 10 m rifle for girls up to 18 years old. Obviously we have talents that are yet to shine!
Burgas – Shooting Center
Around 800 participants from nearly 40 countries are in Burgas for the European Championship. The competitions are for young people, as well as in the age categories up to 18 and up to 16 years old. A total of 54 finals are planned, with 27 of them on air rifle and 27 on air pistol. Hard work in Burgas!
30 Years Later: Return of the European Shooting
Bulgaria is hosting a European Championship in sports shooting for the first time in 30 years. The organizer of the event is the Bulgarian Shooting Union, jointly with the European Shooting Confederation. Bulgaria last hosted such a competition in 1996 in Sofia. Before that, in 1975, 1985 and 1992, Burgas hosted major shooting competitions. Fully deserved, our Black Sea jewel shines again on the sports map.
Will these young talents continue to delight us in the future? What other surprises await us at this European Championship? Time will tell.