Just two days ahead of the 52nd International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship, athletes from different parts of the world practice at the Changwon International Shooting Center in Changwon City, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, on Aug. 29. (Yonhap News)
By <font color="#0070c0">Hahm Hee-eun</font>
The best shooters from around the world will gather in Changwon City in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Korea.
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) announced that the 52nd ISSF World Championship will open at the Changwon International Shooting Center for 16 days from Aug. 31 to Sept. 15. This year, 4,255 athletes from 91 countries, the largest number ever, will attend the competition. Depending on the results, the shooters will also confirm their entry to the Tokyo 2022 Olympic Games.
Especially at this year’s event, as the peaceful atmosphere of reconciliation continues between the two Koreas, a 22-person delegation from North Korea is scheduled to participate in 14 events at the competition. A representative from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said, “Through North Korea’s participation in this event, we hope to deliver a message of inter-Korean harmony and peace to the world, and we further hope for active interaction in terms of sports between the two Koreas.”
The opening ceremony will be held at the Changwon Gymnasium at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1. Fireworks and performances are scheduled to celebrate the event. Free tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis at the official website: www.pre2018changwon.com.
hehahm@korea.kr