Preparation & Challenges: On the Road to South Africa
The lead-up to the World Shoot is marked by intense training blocks, regional competitions, and match simulations, all tailored to the unique demands of the South African range — including the expected climate, stage design complexity, and logistical planning.
Each shooter approaches preparation differently, balancing range time, dry fire routines, physical conditioning, and mental focus. However, the 2025 season has posed unique challenges for many athletes — from tight travel schedules and equipment tuning to recovering from injuries or navigating national selection pressures.
Q&A: On Target with GECO Team Shooters
Dylan Keppel – Production Optics / Netherlands
Q1: What does your training routine look like leading up to the World Shoot in South Africa?
I believe in preparing over the course of an entire year. This way I can progress steadily throughout the season, training three to four times a week, working out, and incorporating regular dry fire practice. Even though the World Shoot is a major highlight, I don’t drastically change my approach before it. Consistency all year round is key — and thanks to years of dedication, I’m competing at this level now, not because of the last two weeks before the event.
Q2: What’s been your biggest challenge during the 2025 season so far?
Shooting while becoming a father. My little man Chris is now eight months old. With the amazing support of my wife Cheyenne and our fantastic grandparents, I’ve had a hugely successful season — winning major matches against top competitors. So despite this big life change, having a strong team around me has made this season a success already. The World Shoot will be the perfect way to close it on a high note.
Q3: How are you mentally preparing for a match of this scale and intensity?
Even though this is the World Shoot, I treat every match as if it’s the most important one of my career. I want to make myself proud — and make the brands I represent proud as well.
Q4: What role does GECO ammunition play in your competitive setup?
GECO allows me to trust every shot down to the smallest detail — every single time. The precision and consistency they deliver mean I can focus entirely on my performance, never on my ammo. Because of GECO, I’ve been able to train more, push my limits further, and compete at the highest level with complete confidence.
Cyrielle Vivio – Production Optics Lady / France
Q1: What’s your focus in the final weeks before traveling to South Africa?
Refining fundamentals, sharpening match-speed accuracy, and optimizing stage movement so that every action feels instinctive and efficient.
Q2: How does the World Shoot differ from other competitions you’ve shot this year?
It’s the longest and most demanding match of the season, with an exceptional competitive field and stages built to test every aspect of a shooter’s skillset. The international atmosphere and the pressure of a World Championship make it a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Q3: Which match this year has best prepared you for WSXX — and why?
An international match in June that featured challenging stage designs and a field of top-tier shooters. The competitive environment and course complexity were very similar to what we’ll face in South Africa.
Q4: What motivates you most when competing at this level?
The drive to measure myself against the best in the world and to push my personal limits with every single stage.
Cecilia Lindberg – Production Optics Lady / Sweden
Q1: How are you mentally preparing for a match of this scale and intensity?
Mental preparation has been part of my journey for years. I work closely with a mental coach, and for me, the road to the World Shoot is just as much about mindset as it is about skill. Challenges arise along the way — in work, life, and training — and each one demands its own approach.
Right now, my main focus is maintaining concentration throughout the match. This season, balancing everyday life with shooting has been demanding, so energy management is essential.
I’ll be traveling to the World Shoot with friends I can rely on — the kind of people who make competition trips easier and more enjoyable. Support is everything. During the match, I make a conscious effort to spend time alone and prioritize rest. When I’m well-rested, my focus sharpens, and unnecessary distractions fade away.
Q2: How does the World Shoot differ from other competitions you’ve shot this year?
Everything is on a bigger scale — the planning, the travel, the match itself.
Here, you’re competing for titles, and that changes the atmosphere completely. The nerves feel different because the stakes are higher, and the results matter more.
It’s also much longer and packs in more stages than a regular match. It’s a mental and physical marathon, not a sprint — something a wise shooter told me years ago that still sticks with me today.
You also find yourself shooting alongside competitors you’ve never faced before, which means you can’t rely on your usual team dynamic for comfort and support. It’s a whole new environment to adapt to.
Q3: Which match this year has best prepared you for WSXX — and why?
The Extreme Euro Open in the Czech Republic. It’s one of the closest things to a championship without actually being one. The match runs for several days, and the stage design is world-class. Coming from Sweden, the Czech summer heat was also a perfect test for the conditions I might face in South Africa.
Q4: What personal goal have you set for this World Shoot?
I want to step onto that range knowing I’ve done everything I can to prepare — no shortcuts, no regrets.
When it’s all over, my goal is to be at peace with my overall performance. The final score is out of my control, but giving my absolute best is entirely in my hands.
Q5: How important is team support — both from GECO and your squadmates?
It’s everything. Without my partners and friends, I wouldn’t even be here. Their support makes long-term preparation possible — and when I say “long-term,” I mean years of dedication, training, and planning. I feel incredibly fortunate and deeply grateful for the privilege to compete at this level.
György Batki – Classic / Hungary
Q1: What does your training routine look like leading up to the World Shoot in South Africa?
On weekdays, after work, I head to the shooting range for training, followed by physical workouts. I can’t train as much as I used to — other priorities have taken over. Mental preparation remains the hardest part, as the number of challenges keeps growing… or perhaps I’ve become less flexible. Until the World Championships, I’ll be competing almost every weekend to stay sharp.
Q2: What’s been your biggest challenge during the 2025 season so far?
I’ve taken part in many major international competitions this season, each with its own charm — from the NO MISS Challenge and Slovak Extreme Challenge to the Mosquito Match, Rebels Trophy, Extreme Euro Open, Atlas Open, and HotShots. The Extreme Euro Open stood out for its sheer number of competitors.
Q3: How are you mentally preparing for a match of this scale and intensity?
This is the million-dollar question — in competition and in life. I constantly seek balance with myself and the world. One of the greatest gifts of competition is finding that balance. Shooting, to me, is the art of being fully present — and that is true freedom.
Q4: What role does GECO ammunition play in your competitive setup?
I’ve been shooting GECO ammunition for 25 years and have complete trust in it. The FMJ FN 10 g load is fantastic — accurate, soft, and smooth. Transporting 800 rounds to the World Championships is a serious logistical challenge, but I wouldn’t want to compete without GECO. In fact, my very first World Championship, back in 2002 in South Africa, was already with GECO ammunition.
Luis Ehrhardt – Production Optics / Germany
Q1: What does your training routine look like leading up to the World Shoot in South Africa?
I’m able to train twice a week at my club’s shooting range, with each session lasting three to five hours — enough time to get the most out of my limited range access. On the other five days, I focus on dry fire drills and physical training. This balance of live fire, dry fire, and fitness keeps me sharp and prepares me as effectively as possible for the World Shoot.
Q2: What’s your focus in the final weeks before traveling to South Africa?
In the final stretch, my priority is to fine-tune both my gear and my skills. It’s about eliminating small mistakes and making sure I can secure every possible point on each stage.
Q3: How are you mentally preparing for a match of this scale and intensity?
Having competed for several years, this isn’t my first Level IV or Level V match. That experience helps me stay calm, because I know what to expect. Of course, the World Shoot is different — the stakes are higher and the pressure is greater — but I use that as motivation to perform at my absolute best.
Q4: How important is team support — both from GECO and your squadmates?
The support from GECO means everything. Ammunition is one of the most critical factors for a competitive shooter — it must perform flawlessly in training and competition, so I can fully focus on my performance instead of worrying about malfunctions.
My teammates also play a huge role. Even though we’re spread across different countries, we constantly support one another, exchange experiences, and push each other forward. I’m especially grateful to fellow GECO shooter Stefan Rumpler, who recently returned to handgun training after his IPSC European Shotgun Championship success. Training alongside someone at that level is incredibly valuable: you get direct feedback after every run, which sharpens your performance and finalizes your preparation. Thanks, Stefan!
Emile Obriot – Production Optics / France
Q1: What does your training routine look like leading up to the World Shoot in South Africa?
I plan two intensive training camps — one in August and one in the week before the competition — shooting around 15,000 rounds during these periods. Between those sessions, I aim for three live fire trainings per week, complemented by physical training. It’s a demanding schedule, but it’s the best way to prepare for a match of this scale.
Q2: How did you balance shooting with everyday life during this intense season?
This year has been special and challenging, as my second child was born in January. The first few months at home were complicated, and my real preparation for the World Shoot only started in August during my holidays. It’s by far the shortest preparation I’ve ever had for a World Shoot. Balancing work, family, and IPSC is never easy, but I feel lucky to have a supportive family and colleagues who make it possible.
Q3: What personal goal have you set for this World Shoot?
This will be my first World Shoot in the Production Optics division. Winning the silver medal at the last European Championship gave me the confidence to set ambitious goals. My main target is to reach the podium overall — and of course, to win together with the French team. This will be my seventh World Shoot, and I truly believe we have the strongest French team ever.
Q4: What role does GECO ammunition play in your competitive setup?
GECO gives me incredible confidence in my ammunition, particularly in its reliability. At this level, it’s essential to shoot the best products available — knowing that every round will perform perfectly, without failures. That reliability allows me to focus on my performance, not on my gear.
Q5: What advice would you give first-time World Shoot competitors?
Enjoy every moment of the event — the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the chance to meet shooters from all over the world. As for the competition itself: a World Shoot isn’t necessarily more technically difficult than a smaller match. The key is consistency. Focus on delivering steady, solid performances throughout all stages, and you’ll go far.
Q6: How important is team support — both from GECO and your squadmates?
Feeling the confidence and support of a strong team behind you is essential for peak performance. I’m proud to have GECO in my corner — a company deeply involved in IPSC, always helping shooters and developing world-class products. I’m also proud to represent the Beretta Team and the French Federation. With all this support, I truly have no excuses not to give my absolute best.
Stay tuned for live impressions and final results as Team GECO takes on the world’s best in Matlosana. Follow the action on our social media channels and the official World Shoot site.
