About us
THE ORIGIN OF THE IDEA
Shooting holds a unique position as one of the oldest sports in Serbia, deeply rooted in the rich history of our town. With an impressive legacy spanning 128 years, our local shooting tradition boasts over 370 national champion titles. In recent years, Smederevo has earned the title of a sports capital, a status solidified by the inauguration of a modern shooting range in 2012.
This state-of-the-art facility has transformed Smederevo into a year-round hub for sports, particularly in the realm of shooting. Our shooting hall has welcomed the best Serbian shooters, including World record holders, Olympic medalists, and European champions, either for fierce competition or dedicated preparation for major events. As a club, we take pride in orchestrating the hosting of prominent competitions, further contributing to the vibrant sports culture of our town.
Shooting club „Smederevo“, in May 2013. for the first time in its history, organized the first official international competition, which had major significance for youth shooters. Qualifications for the Youth league of South-Eastern Europe provided a major chance for our technical and organizational skills to be shown in front of young shooters from Russia, Ukraine, Croatia and Israel. We justified their trust, and having another chance to organize it in 2014, which was decided six months later, proves that.
In October 2014. Shooting club „Smederevo“ for the first time in history was host of the European Youth League Final. Final of the European Youth League is one of the most important international shooting competitions which was held in 2014, and where around 80 shooters from 14 countries competed, that is exactly 16 teams, 8 with Rifle and 8 with Pistol. These were shooters that represented the future World and European shooting elite, which is why the European Shooting Confederation gives great significance to this competition. In 2014, the final has gathered shooters from: Austria, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Croatia, Sweden, Russia, Czech, Switzerland, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Sweden and host Serbia. Both competitions also draw the attention of the media, local, regional but also national importance.
After excellent and high marks from European Shooting Confederation, as organizers of the European Youth League Final for 2014, we have founded a new competition for youth shooters: Walther Youth Cup, sponsored by CARL WALTHER GMBH Sportwaffen.
In next couple years we expect that this competition to became the best and the largest competition in Europe and World for youth shooters, also tournament where take participation more than 30 national teams for next 3-5 years.
HOW WE STARTED
Shooting club „Smederevo“ in the year of 2015 was the host of one of the largest shooting competitions for youth. International air rifle and psitol competition for youth shooters (under 20 years) was held from November 26th to 29th at the Shooting Range in Smederevo. This was the first time for this tournament to be held in Smederevo and Serbia. Many of the young people who competed in Smederevo, were already champions in their own countries and they are expecting to bring the shiniest medals from future European, and World competitions and Olympic Games.
Name of this competition is:
WALTHER YOUTH CUP
Smederevo, Serbia.
The General sponsor of the Competition is one of the most successful companies in the world CARL WALTHER GMBH Sportwaffen.
First day of the tournament athletes competed in their categories under 16, 18 and 20 years old, individually and in teams. The prizes for the winners are medals and trophies (the first three teams were awarded with a cup). There were no finals. The name of that competition is Grand Prix of Smederevo, as well as a part of the common Walther Youth Cup.
Second day we had two events. Air rifle and pistol junior men and junior women individually in a unique category – 20 years. The prizes for the winners were medals, trophies and special prizes from the general sponsor. One pistol LP500 and one rifle LG400 for results nearest to the World record in qualifications and more Walther products for medal winners.
HOW WE CONTINUE (2018-2022)
Since 2018, we have had a three-day competition because we have introduced a new discipline – Mixed Teams. So, the competition program was:
1st day – Air Rifle and Pistol Juniors Mixed Team event. Category U20 years.
2nd day – Air Rifle Junior Men and Junior Women Rifle and Pistol (individual and teams). Category U16, U18 and U20 years.
3rd day – Air Rifle Junior Men and Junior Women Rifle and Pistol individual. Category U20 years.
* In the year 2020. The Walther Youth Cup was held as a national competition because of the COVID-19 restrictions for the sports competitions.
NEXT CHANGE (2023)
The change referred to the age of juniors who, according to the ISSF rule 3.7.4.12 (General Regulations, 04.05.2023), are until the 31st December of the year in which they become 21 years of age. The competition program was:
1st day – Air Rifle and Pistol Juniors Mixed Team event. Category U21 years.
2nd day – Air Rifle Junior Men and Junior Women Rifle and Pistol (individual and teams). Category U16, U18 and U21 years.
3rd day – Air Rifle Junior Men and Junior Women Rifle and Pistol individual. Category U21 years.
NEW PROGRAME FROM 2024
Last year was the most successful year of the Walther Youth Cup. We had 295 athletes from 11 countries who made more than 550 starts in the three-day competition. It was the full capacity of our shooting range, so we started thinking about how to keep this number of athletes and, of course, to further improve the quality of the competition. And we decided to make a change through the competition program.
1st day
Air Pistol JM and JW (individual and teams). Category U16, U18 and U21 years – Grand Prix Smederevo.
Air Rifle Mixed Team event. Category U21 years – Walther Youth Cup.
2nd day
Air Rifle JM and JW (individual and teams). Category U16, U18 and U21 years – Grand Prix Smederevo.
Air Pistol Mixed Team event. Category U21 years – Walther Youth Cup.
3rd day
Air Rifle and Pistol Junior Men and Junior Women individuals. Category U21 years – Walther Youth Cup.
SPECIAL PRIZES FOR 1OTH WALTHER YOUTH CUP for the best qualification result (AR or AP JM or JW, Sunday competition)
LG500 ITEC E
ELECTRONICAL TRIGGER
LP500-E EXPERT BLUE ANGEL
ELECTRONICAL TRIGGER
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF SHOOTING RANGE SMEDEREVO
Shooting range in Smederevo is 1.260 square meters large. It is designed so there can be large competitions held in Serbia and Europe. It has two shooting areas. First one is for air arms, for 10 meters and it has 40 shooting places. Other one is made for firearms, for 25 meters and when it is finished, it will have 10 shooting places. Shooting Area for firearms is very important, because it can transform into a final shooting hall when necessary. Beside these two shooting halls which are the most important, Shooting hall in Smederevo also has accommodation, dressing rooms for shooters, office for judges, office for technical committee, office for shooting association, weapon warehouse and warehouse for munitions. There is also a space for socializing with the shooters, and all of those who are shooting lovers. Inside the object there are also well decorated bathrooms and toilets. All this together makes an object, a building which is unique in Serbia and the region.