2026 IPSC European Championship: When precision, power and speed make history
1,700 shooters. 65 nations. Two weeks of non-stop action. And right at the heart of it all: Team GECO
There are competitions. And then there are championships that define an entire sport.
The IPSC European Handgun Championship 2026 in Buzsák, Hungary, was the event of superlatives. Over 1,700 athletes from 65 nations made the European Championship the largest IPSC handgun event in history – a record that impressively underscores the scale of this competition.
For our GECO IPSC Team, this meant nine intense days full of heat, pressure, adrenaline and unforgettable moments. Days when every hit counted. Days when preparation turned into performance. And days when our athletes proved once again what is possible when talent, hard work and the right equipment come together.
The kick-off: Between MacGyver moments and European Championship fever
Even before the first shot of the main match was fired, the LZ Range was a hive of activity.
Whilst the shooters were preparing for the upcoming stages, there was a flurry of activity at the GECO stand: screwing, building and improvising. Two tension straps were quickly turned into the perfect solution for hanging banners – true to the motto: Creativity. Improvise. Perform.
With the official opening ceremony, the tension rose noticeably. National flags, team jerseys and the anticipation of Europe’s biggest IPSC match were visible all over the grounds.
Everyone knew: now it’s getting serious.
Four days of the main match. Four days of high tension.
The first day of competition immediately made it clear what the participants could expect. Temperatures were already around 20 degrees early in the morning. As the day progressed, the thermometer climbed to nearly 30 degrees, demanding everything from the athletes. Stefan Rumpler and György Batki opened the championship for Team GECO with strong performances, laying the foundation for a successful week. Meanwhile, Sascha Back, Patrick Kummer and Eduardo De Cobos were still waiting for their first turn.
But at an event of this magnitude, there are no easy days. Day two brought temperatures once again above the 30-degree mark. Concentration, endurance and mental strength were tested on every single stage. Eduardo De Cobos and Cyrielle Vivo put in strong performances against one of the strongest fields of competitors IPSC has ever seen.
After two extremely hot days of competition, overnight rain finally brought some relief from the heat. But anyone who thought this would make the challenge any easier was mistaken. The stages remained technically demanding, and the competition mercilessly strong. Luis Ehrhardt and Dylan Keppel worked their way confidently through the stages and collected vital points. At the same time, a special visitor caused a stir at the GECO stand: IPSC legend Eric Grauffel, ten-time world champion and one of the sport’s most influential figures, made a point of stopping by GECO.
As the championship entered its decisive phase, the first major successes became apparent. Cecilia Lindberg was on course for a podium finish in the Production Optics Lady category.
As was Camilla Almici in the Production Lady category. Cyrielle Vivo and Katharina Schneider were also battling for top positions. Meanwhile, György Batki impressively defended his European title in the Classic Seniors.
The tension rose with every stage.
10 medals for Team GECO at the IPSC Handgun European Championships
Once the final shots had been fired and the results were in, it was clear:
Team GECO had delivered.
The result:
- 8 gold medals
- 1 silver medal
- 1 bronze medal
A medal tally that impressively demonstrates just how strongly our athletes performed on the European stage.
The champions of Team GECO & the highlights of the EHC 2026:
Emile Obriot - Two Gold Medals
The Frenchman capped off an outstanding championship with the title:
European Champion Production Optics Overall
He also secured gold with the French team in the team event.
György Batki - Two Gold Medals
A title defence of the highest calibre.
The Hungarian once again won the title:
Classic Senior European Champion
and also took gold with the Hungarian senior team.
Cecilia Lindberg- Gold Medal
One of the standout stories of this European Championship.
With impressive consistency, Cecilia secured the title:
Production Optics Lady European Champion
Camilla Almici - Gold And Silver Medal
The Italian put in a strong performance throughout the championship and won:
silver in the Production Lady category
gold with the Italian women’s team
Sascha Back- Gold Medal
Gold for Germany in the team competition:
Open Senior Team Champion
Cyrielle Vivo - Bronze Medal
With bronze in the Production Optics Lady category, she rounded off GECO’s success in the women’s events.
delivered an outstanding performance, finishing 4th in Standard Lady and securing Team Gold in the Standard Lady category with Austria.
The GECO Ladies make a statement
One of the finest stories of this European Championship was written by the GECO women’s team.
Title wins, podium places and team successes impressively demonstrated that precision, speed and mental strength are not a question of gender.
With the successes of Cecilia Lindberg, Camilla Almici, Katharina Schneider and Cyrielle Vivo, the GECO Ladies were among the standout athletes of the entire European Championship.
More than just medals
Of course, gold, silver and bronze will be remembered. But the 2026 IPSC European Handgun Championship was far more than a hunt for medals. It was the early starts in the morning sun.
The long walks between the stages. The conversations at the shooting range. The mutual support within the team. The concentration before the starting signal. And the relief after a stage completed to perfection. It is precisely these moments that define IPSC.
GECO Performance under the toughest conditions
With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, thousands of shots fired on the stages and maximum pressure to perform, it was once again clear what our athletes rely on:
GECO Match ammunition.
Reliability, precision and consistent performance are not just buzzwords – they are the foundation for success at the highest international level.
Thank you, Team GECO!
A huge thank you goes to all the GECO athletes who made this European Championship an unforgettable success. We would also like to thank the organisers for an excellently run event, as well as our colleagues Martin and Ralf, who worked tirelessly on site to ensure we could provide you with daily updates, stories and background information.
The 2026 IPSC European Handgun Championship is now history.
The memories remain. And one thing is already certain:
Team GECO will be right back where it belongs at the next major IPSC event – at the top.
WHERE EXCITEMENT STARTS.
You can find all the official results of the 2026 IPSC European Handgun Championship
