Excitement is building as two U.S. Army Soldiers prepare to compete at the upcoming 2025 International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) World Shoot Handgun Championships in South Africa from September 22-27. Sgt. Aaron Eddins and Staff Sgt. Jacob Hetherington, esteemed instructors and competitive shooters with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) based at Fort Benning, Georgia, will represent Team USA at this prestigious event.
The World Shoot, often referred to as the Olympics of practical shooting, is a monumental occasion that occurs once every four years, aligning itself with the Olympic schedule for the first time. The anticipation is palpable, especially considering that over 1,700 marksmen from more than 50 countries will gather to showcase their skills across 30 demanding stages over five days. Each competitor must navigate a rigorous selection process, with Eddins noting, “It’s an honor to be here.”
The IPSC World Shoot made its debut in Zurich in 1975, featuring American marksman Ray Chapman as its first Gold medalist. Rapid advancements in firearms technology and an increasing number of competitors necessitated adjustments in competition format. Notably, in 1990, Doug Koenig became the first shooter to clinch the World Shoot title using a red dot sight, heralding a new era in the sport. The 1993 event saw competitors classified into divisions based on their equipment, a trend that continues today.
This year’s competition will feature six distinct divisions: Classic, Open, Production, Production Optics, Revolver, and Standard. With participants hailing from countries as diverse as Poland, Brazil, Kenya, and the Philippines, the World Shoot embodies an international spirit of camaraderie and competition.
To qualify for the 2025 World Shoot, athletes like Eddins had to participate in four qualifying matches, combining their top three scores. “The top four in each country for each division are selected to form that country’s national team,” Eddins explained. Representing Team USA in the Open Division, Eddins will compete alongside civilian shooters Christian Sailer, Bryan Jones, and John Vlieger, against a formidable field of 358 other competitors.
Hetherington, on the other hand, will participate in the Production Optics Division with teammates JJ Racaza, Tom Castro, and Jay Beal. Together, they’ll face off against 447 other individual marksmen and 40 national teams. Hetherington’s journey to this championship is particularly noteworthy; having previously earned a Silver Medal at the World Shoot in 2014 while on the U.S. Junior Production Team, he is no stranger to high-stakes competition.
The USAMU Action Shooting Team has a storied history at IPSC Championships, with notable veterans like Travis Tomasie and Max Michel having made waves in past World Shoots. In a remarkable performance in 2008, USAMU Soldiers swept the podium in the Junior Category, showcasing the caliber of talent within the unit.
Although the team took a brief hiatus from international competitions due to administrative hurdles, they have since revitalized their focus on global participation. The USAMU is not just a prominent force in practical shooting, but also shines in Olympic disciplines like air rifle and shotgun sports. Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Workman, the Team Chief, emphasized the importance of representing the U.S. Army on the world stage, stating, “It is crucial for these world-shooters to showcase their skills internationally, beyond matches held within the United States.”
To gear up for the World Shoot, Eddins has honed his skills by competing in seven international competitions in the past three years. Hetherington secured his qualification through notable events like the French Nationals and the Extreme Euro in the Czech Republic, putting him back on the world stage after a successful previous outing in 2014.
The competition format at the IPSC World Shoot is akin to a marathon—30 demanding stages over five days, with competitors firing nearly 600 rounds. Stages are categorized into short, medium, and long courses, pushing participants to prove their skills in speed and accuracy across a diverse set of challenges. Team USA will kick off their competition on September 22, expected to complete six stages each day.
For those interested in following the action, GT3 Sports will provide live coverage on their official website, Vimeo, and Instagram. With anticipation building for this extraordinary representation of teamwork and marksmanship, the upcoming championships promise to be a thrilling spectacle for participants and fans alike.
For more information about the competition, including schedules and details on Team USA’s participation, visit the official IPSC website.