Anita Mackiewicz Sets New Women’s Record
Columbia, MO -(Ammoland.com)- Doug Koenig of Hamburg, Pennsylvania, has secured his 16th NRA Action Pistol title with a perfect score of 1920-180x at the 37th MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup.
Nearly 300 competitors representing nine countries attended May 21-24 championship at the Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. Featuring more than $200,000 in prizes, the Bianchi Cup is the richest and most prestigious pistol tournament in the world.
“The Bianchi Cup is an extremely challenging event. There’s nothing like it,” Koenig said. “The competition has become so great that you must shoot perfectly over all three days to have a chance at winning.”
Founded in 1979 by former police officer and holster maker John Bianchi, success in the MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup requires a perfect balance of speed and accuracy. The 192-shot championship is comprised of four timed events: Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plate. In addition to being grouped by age, gender, and shooting skill, competitors may opt to shoot in the Open, Metallic, or Production divisions, determined by the type of modifications made to the firearm.
Second overall Jeremy Newell also shot a perfect 1920, however he lost the tie-breaker to Doug, having shot 14 fewer Xs. Ten-time NRA High Power Rifle Championship winner Carl Bernosky, recovering from back surgery, placed third overall with 1918-180x.
2015 High Woman shooter Anita Mackiewicz of Australia set a new record for a female shooter at the Bianchi Cup. Her score of 1916-166x beat out the previous score of 1914-148x that Mackiewicz set in 1998.
“The best shooters in the world are drawn to the Bianchi Cup for its challenging events and fierce level of competition,” said Executive Director of NRA General Operations Kyle Weaver. “It’s already the top pistol competition in the world, but we have big plans to grow and expand this thrilling sport in the years to come.”
2015 MidwayUSA & NRA Bianchi Cup Champions:
- High Overall and High Open: Doug Koenig 1920-180x
- High Woman: Anita Mackiewicz 1916-166x
- High Metallic: Staff Sgt. Patrick Franks 1902-140x
- High Production: Enoch Smith 1874-137x
- High Senior: Kelley Gilmore 1909-157x
- High Junior: Tim Yackley 1898-125x
- High Grand Senior: Adam Lennert 1899-144x
- High Newcomer: Patrick Franks 1902-140x
- High Lawman: Kyle Schmidt 1918-166x
- High International: Mark Blake 1916-170x
About the National Rifle Association
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Five million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and is the leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military.
For more information, visit https://nra.org.