Forty-Ninth IPSC General Assembly

The 49th IPSC General Assembly was held on 20 September 2025, bringing together Regional Directors and IPSC leadership from across the globe. The meeting covered a wide range of issues, from competition administration and governance to Olympic ambitions, rule changes, and future international match venues.

Key Issues

Firearms Permits at the South African World Shoot

The Assembly began with a Q&A session on the firearms permit delays in South Africa, where over 50 competition firearms remained unreleased just days before the World Shoot. This highlighted the need for improved international logistics support for athletes.

Voting Regions

A motion to admit late-paying regions was carried. The Assembly formally recognised 73 voting regions plus 2 proxies.

Reports

IPSC President – Vitaly Kryuchin

• Sport Accord Membership: IPSC’s application was successful, securing full membership. This is a critical step towards Olympic recognition, which is expected in 2026. Once achieved, IPSC disciplines may be considered for future Olympic Games.

• UKPSA Action: The Board to consider whether UKPSA should apply for GB Sport recognition as a Sport Accord-recognised sport.

• Firearms & Calibres List: Starting 2026, IPSC will maintain an official list of sporting firearms and calibres, accessible by authorities worldwide. This initiative aims to distinguish IPSC firearms from non-sporting “weapons,” strengthening our case in regulatory discussions.

  
  

IPSC Vice-President – Friedrich Gepperth

• Reported progress in European negotiations regarding the lead ban, with partial relief achieved for rifle and pistol disciplines. Work continues on shotgun exemptions.

• Reiterated the need for electronic targets in order for full-bore practical shooting to be viable within the Olympic framework.

• UKPSA Action: The Director of Public Affairs to liaise directly with the Vice-President to ensure the UK remains aligned with European developments.
  

IROA President – Dino Evangelinos

• Celebrated 35 years since the foundation of IROA.

• Expressed gratitude to the executive team and confirmed Tanfoglio’s ongoing sponsorship of official IROA apparel.
  

IROA Vice-President – Jose Carlos Belino

• Outlined further adoption of the Electronic Scoring System (ESS) across IPSC regions.

• Reported on the successful implementation of online athlete registration for Level 4 and Level 5 competitions.
  

IPSC Treasurer

• 2024 Accounts approved and auditors re-appointed.

• Several delegates requested greater transparency in financial reporting, particularly around balancing income with related expenditures.
  

Elections & Membership

• President: Vitaly Kryuchin re-elected as IPSC President.

• Provisional Regional Memberships: India, Luxembourg, and Jordan accepted provisionally for one year.

• Affiliation Transfers:

  • Mexico: Affiliation transferred to the Mexican Practical Shooting Association, supported strongly by neighbouring regions.

  • Pakistan: Following seven years of inactivity, affiliation was transferred provisionally to the Karachi Shooting Club, pending evidence of sport development before the next Assembly.
    

Committees & Projects

• Sanctioning Director – Jürgen Tegge: Over 650 matches approved to date in 2025, with the year expected to close above 700. Encouraged Regional Directors to submit match details promptly.

• TUE Committee – Dr Jimmy Barbuti: The Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee now operates under WADA rules. Dr Barbuti confirmed as Chair with a medical and legal expert panel.

• Scientific Project: IPSC invited volunteers to participate in ongoing research at the World Shoot (GB competitors already notified).
  

Rules & Motions

The Assembly voted on a comprehensive package of rule changes, which will take effect with the January 2026 Editionof the IPSC Competition Rules.

Highlights include:

• New Handgun Optics Division approved (proposal from Brazil).

• Shotgun amendments (proposal from Great Britain) adopted.

• PCC minimum bullet weight standardised at 115 grains (-2 grains tolerance).

• Expanded categories: New Junior and Lady Junior divisions adopted (proposals from Finland and Turkey).

• Production Division restrictions tightened: thumb rests, grip panels that aid reloading, and extended slide stops no longer permitted on newly approved models.

• Rejected proposals: Removal of Cooper Tunnels; requirement for formal Target Array Handbook approval.

• Technical authorisation: IPSC Executive may correct formatting, numbering, and minor editorial errors in rulebooks without Assembly approval.
  

Competitions

2026 Events

• Pan-American Handgun Championship (Aruba): 22–30 Aug, 24 stages.

• European Handgun Championship (Hungary): 1–14 Jun, 24 stages, squads confirmed. Slots allocated Oct 2025; IROA appointments Dec 2025.

• Shotgun World Shoot V (Greece): 14–27 Sept (tbc). Bulk ammunition shipping confirmed without tax.

2027 Events

• Rifle World Shoot (Mongolia): August, 5-day match. Travel via Frankfurt recommended.

• Australasian Handgun Championship (Thailand).

2028 Events

• African Handgun Championship (Zimbabwe): July (tbc), hosted by Donington Practical Pistol Club, Bulawayo. Simple entry requirements, no permit complications.

• Latin American Handgun Championship (Guatemala): Oct–Nov (tbc). Expanding to 30 bays for capacity.

• PCC & Mini Rifle World Shoot II (Hungary): awarded after Brazil withdrew separate Mini Rifle bid.

2029 Events

• Handgun World Shoot XXI (Italy): After three voting rounds, awarded to Italy. Venue confirmed in Northern Italy. Juniors will be admitted by special dispensation. Rental guns will be available for athletes.

  • UKPSA Action: Regional Director to coordinate with Italian RD to ensure Division-compliant rental firearms are secured for GB athletes.

• Action Air World Shoot III (Indonesia).

• European Shotgun Championship: No host yet.