European Shooting Championship for Juniors Opens in Burgas

Veneta Litkova, Miroslav Dimitrov

Maria Grozdeva, Tanyu Kiryakov, and Antoaneta Kostadinova (right to left) attend the European Championship Junior 10m Air Rifle/Air Pistol U21 MJ/WJ, Burgas, February 3, 2026 (BTA Photo/Hristo Stefanov)

Sofia,

04.02.2026 13:43

(BTA)

Bulgarian Shooting Union President and Vice President of the European Shooting Confederation (ESC) Vesela Lecheva and Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov opened the European Championship 10m Air Rifle/Air Pistol U21 MJ/WJ in Burgas. The first event of this kind in Bulgaria in almost 30 years is held from February 4 to 14.

Bulgarian shooting legends and two-time Olympic champions Maria Grozdeva and Tanyu Kiryakov, and Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Antoaneta Kostadinova attended the opening ceremony to inspire the young shooters.

Lecheva said she believes that the introduction of European championships in the under-16 and under-18 age groups is an excellent decision by the ESC for developing the champions of the future. She thanked colleagues from the Confederation and the Youth and Sports Ministry for their support.

She also expressed gratitude to the team of the Bulgarian Shooting Union and to the volunteers, noting that organizing major championships would be impossible without their efforts.

Nikolov thanked all those who contributed to the event and expressed confidence that Burgas would present itself as a perfect host.

ESC Secretary General Yahor Aleinik also thanked the organizers from the Bulgarian Shooting Union and Burgas Municipality for the excellent preparation and warm hospitality.

He said it was an honour for the European Shooting Confederation to hold the European Championships in Bulgaria, adding that the country is known for its long-standing traditions in shooting sports and its Olympic champions and medalists. Aleinik acknowledged the achievements of the Bulgarian athletes Vesela Lecheva, Maria Grozdeva, Tanyu Kiryakov and Antoaneta Kostadinova, and said the event is also inspired by the new generation of talents, including Damyan Iliev, a European championships medalist.

Around 800 participants from nearly 40 countries are coming to Bulgaria for the championship, which will determine European champions among youths as well as in the under-18 and under-16 age groups. A total of 54 finals will be held during the event, including 27 in air rifle and 27 in air pistol.

/RY/