The 2024 IPSC Rifle World Championships in Oulu, Finland, was a historic event for the USPSA, as the organization proudly sent its largest team ever—71 members strong—to represent the United States. From July 30 to August 10, the world’s top rifle shooters gathered to compete at the highest level, and Team USA stood out, not only in numbers but also in talent and dedication. Leading the team as flag bearer was Olympian and World Champion Lanny Barnes, whose experience and leadership inspired her fellow athletes throughout the competition.
This championship marked the third edition of the IPSC Rifle World Shoot, which has quickly established itself as the pinnacle of rifle competition within the International Practical Shooting Confederation. The event featured 30 demanding stages spread over six days, challenging competitors with approximately 500 rounds fired at distances ranging from one yard to around 300 yards. The competition’s scoring system, similar to USPSA matches, relied on low hit factors to determine rankings, adding another layer of strategy and precision to the challenge.
The IPSC Rifle World Shoot may have a brief history, but it is a notable one. The inaugural event was held in Moscow, Russia, in 2017, followed by the second championship in Sweden in 2019. Now in 2024, the world turned its attention to Finland, where the competition promised—and delivered—an exceptional display of marksmanship and competitive spirit.
This year’s championship drew an impressive field of 843 registered competitors, with the majority—674 participants—competing in the Semi-Automatic Open division. Another 136 competitors tested their skills in the Semi-Automatic Standard division, while the remaining shooters participated in Manual. The event also attracted 31 teams from around the world, highlighting the universal appeal of this prestigious championship. In the Open division, 16 teams competed, including three Junior, 16 Senior, seven Super Senior and five Lady teams. The Semi-Automatic Standard division featured 12 teams, with one Junior, four Senior, and three Lady teams among them.
Semi-Automatic Open Division
In a thrilling display of skill, Kyle Litzie clinched the gold medal in the Semi-Automatic Open division, a significant achievement that underscores the strength of the U.S. team. Kyle’s victory was particularly impressive as he improved from his eighth place finish in the 2019 championship. He was joined in the top 10 by fellow American shooters Daniel Horner (fifth), AJ Anthony (sixth), Brian Nelson (seventh) and Varick Beise (eighth), showcasing the depth of talent in the U.S. squad.
The team competition saw the U.S. taking gold in the Semi-Automatic Open Team event, with shooters Kyle Litzie, Daniel Horner, AJ Anthony and Joe Farewell. The U.S. team outperformed strong competitors from Norway and Finland, who took silver and bronze, respectively.
In the Ladies’ Semi-Automatic Open division, Lena Miculek continued her legacy by winning the gold medal, adding to her previous gold in 2017 and silver in 2019. Justine Williams secured silver, and other strong performances included Jalise Williams (sixth), Lynda Turnbull (eighth), Becky Yackley (ninth) and Lanny Barnes (10th). The U.S. Ladies’ team, featuring Miculek, Williams, Yackley and Barnes, also brought home gold, underscoring the strength and depth of women competitors in the United States.
The Super Senior category saw the U.S. dominate once again, with Todd Jarrett winning gold and Jerry Miculek taking silver. The U.S. Super Senior Team, which included Todd Jarrett, Jerry Miculek, Leighton Oosthuisen and William Paolino, won the gold medal in the team competition, continuing the USA’s tradition of excellence in this category.
Semi-Automatic Standard Division
As for the Semi-Automatic Standard division, the U.S. Team achieved a commendable silver medal, with standout performances from Joseph Easter (sixth), Aaron Hayes (11th) and Sean Yackley (15th). The competition was fierce, with Finland winning the gold medal and Norway securing bronze. The U.S. Ladies’ Semi-Automatic Standard team also earned silver, led by Reanna Kadic, Candice Horner, Ashlynne Thomas and Hannah Nichols.
Overall Performance
The 2024 IPSC Rifle World Shoot III, featuring 735 competitors, was a testament to the global appeal and competitiveness of practical shooting. U.S. shooters dominated with solid performances across multiple divisions and categories—demonstrating the skill, dedication and sportsmanship of American shooters on the world stage.
With the conclusion of the 2024 IPSC Rifle World Shoot, the USPSA community celebrates these remarkable accomplishments and looks forward to continuing this legacy in future international competitions. Congratulations to all the athletes who represented the United States with distinction, and thank you for making your nation proud.
Article from the September/October 2024 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
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