News

In Memoriam: Josef Beckmann (July 2, 1954 – March 12, 2025)

With great sorrow and profound sadness in our hearts, we have to announce the passing of Josef Beckmann, a dear member of our crossbow family and a great personality of the international sport.

His shooting career began as soon as in 1968 in the Crossbow Shooting Guild in Zirndorf, to be continued in Armbrustschützengilde Frundsberger Fähndl, his later home club. Since 1974 we know him not only as a shooter, but also as an official, dedicating his boundless energy to numerous roles within regional and national crossbow sports, carrying out his duties with unparalleled zeal and success. He acted as a referee, as a team leader, organized the German Crossbow Championships in multiple disciplines, including 10m, 30m, field crossbow, and traditional crossbow shooting. The German and Bavarian crossbow teams greatly benefited from his vigilance, fairness, experience, and tireless dedication, with many of their remarkable successes attributed to his efforts.

On the international stage, Josef Beckmann contributed significantly to the activities of the International Crossbow Shooting Union (IAU) since 1987, holding various positions such as IAU Treasurer, Member of the IAU Executive Committee, jury member, and member of the Match Crossbow Technical Committee. Thanks to his outstanding global reputation, Germany hosted several prestigious international crossbow events, including the 2023 World Cup at the Munich Olympic Shooting Range, the 2019 and 2022 World Cup Finals in Munich-Allach, and the 2014 World Crossbow Championship in Frankfurt am Main.

With Josef, we are losing a compassionate, empathetic, and always helpful personality. We will miss his humour, kindness and friendly way to approach people and life.

Our thoughts are with the family and all friends. Josef, thank you for everything.

2nd MORAVIA CUP - IAU WORLD CUP, Plumlov, CZE, June 27-29, 2025

The hardworking and diligent organizers of the Czech Crossbow Association Field Division, the respected members of the Falcon Crossbow Plumlov, and SAVANA Kostelec na Hané clubs will once again host the world's best crossbowmen in the IAU Field discipline.
The beautiful and picturesque Czech town of Plumlov will host the IAU WORLD CUP this year, where the world's best athletes will compete in the second MORAVIA CUP. This competition will likely live up to the great tradition of its predecessor in Otrokovice in the future.
We invite all world athletes to respond to this invitation to participate and collect points for the IAU World Ranking and secure a place for the IAU World Cup Final in Vienna in early September.                                                         Official documents!

IAU FIELD CROSSBOW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025, DUNAVARSÁNY, HUNGARY

The Hungarian Shooting Federation saves the IAU and its members the third time in the last four years by organizing the IAU World Crossbow Championship 2025. This fantastic competition will be held again this year at the Dunavarsány Olympic Center, south of Budapest.
We invite all IAU members to send their best athletes in the categories of men, women, juniors, cadets, senior men and senior women.
The following link will find all the necessary information and application forms for this competition.
Thanks to the Hungarian Shooting Federation and the hard working organizers. You will again present the top and professional organization of the IAU World Championships 2025.

Edwin Hirte

Dear friends of crossbows, we have lost a valuable family member. Edwin Hirte has passed away.
A true crossbow enthusiast, Edwin combined his life with our beautiful sport.
Until 2009, Edwin held the responsible position of crossbow leader and coordinator for the German Shooting Association for 17 years. He was an indispensable member of the Visier 59 Shooting Club. He was a respected expert in interpreting crossbow rules in the IAU, and for one term, he was also the IAU Vice President for Europe.
He liked to say:
- At all the competitions I attended, there were always exciting moments and funny encounters that motivated me to work for crossbow sport and to support our sport.
- I was pleased when championships were successfully held in Germany. But every medal taken was also a success for the whole team. I consciously include the helpers and supervisors on our trips.
Our crossbow family lost one of the great legends of our sport.
Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family and friends.

Greetings Card

 

 

During the Holiday Season, more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible.
In this spirit, we sincerely thank you and best wishes for the Holiday Season and a happy New Year!
Members of the IAU Executive Committee Josef Beckmann, Andreas Henne, Christian Hunzinger, Jaroslav Liptak, Violetta Shishorina, Pero Stojnic, Dragutin Vrbek.

Shooter of the Year 2024 – Match Division

The Match Division of the IAU is happy to announce the Shooters of the Year 2024!

In the 30m discipline, the big crystal globe has been awarded to Monika Hurschler (SUI). Her consistent performance placing her regularly close to the top of the results lists and the first place in the World Cup Finals qualification earned her the most points in the final ranking and therefore the honour to take the globe home this year.

In the 10m discipline, after aggregating the points earned by athletes in the ladies and men categories, the lead of Dimitri Dutendas (FRA) was obvious. Twice unbeaten at the World Cups and a very high placement in the World Cup Final qualification, makes Dimitri the deserved winner of the other big crystal globe.

Sincere thanks also to Mr. Peter Ďuriš from Sklovakia glassworks for the wonderfully designed and produced Crystal Globes.

Click here for the results, check here for the actual and final 2024 rankings and look also here for the photos provided by Robert König (SUI).

The IAU congratulates the winners, thanks all organisers, athletes and other members of the crossbow family - and declares the 2024 international season closed. We are looking forward to meet you with new motivation and enthusiasm in the 2025 season!