The Alicante region hosts a premier event this weekend as top blind shooters compete in the Spanish Carbine Shooting Championship, an event organized by the Spanish Federation of Visually Impaired Sports, known as FEDC. The championship unfolds at the Royal Olympic Shooting Federation of the Valencian Community’s headquarters in Alicante, located at Av. Pintor Gastón Castelló, 62. Over two days, athletes will perform in standing and prone positions, guided by their partners. Teams hail from several regions, including the Basque Country, Navarra, and Andalusia, highlighting a diverse national field.
On Saturday, the standing rounds begin at 10:45, with the competition’s final scheduled for 12:45. Sunday brings another round of action, with the final starting at 09:45 and concluding at 11:20. The event promises a weekend of intense sportsmanship and dramatic finishes, drawing spectators and fellow athletes from across the country.
Among the entrants is a standout during the discipline’s history. Ager Solabarrieta, paired with his guide and spouse Maite Badiola, has earned two world golds at the world championships held in Lima, Peru, just over a month ago. Their presence at the national championship is certain to capture the limelight and elevate the level of play throughout the weekend.
Carbine Shooting
Carbine shooting for visually impaired athletes might seem unfamiliar at first glance. Yet the sport is built on the same core principles as traditional Olympic shooting. The key difference lies in how the shooter receives feedback. Instead of relying on sight alone, competitors use hearing as their primary feedback channel, allowing them to gauge accuracy through sound cues.
To achieve this, competitors use a compressed air rifle paired with a specialized telescopic sight. This sight incorporates an electronic circuit that translates light into sound. The intensity of the sound correlates with the light reflected from the target. As shots are aligned, a listener can hear the target’s response through a headset. This auditory feedback becomes a reliable substitute for vision, guiding the shooter toward precision without sacrificing the sport’s fundamental structure.
The setup ensures that the essential elements of targeting, trigger control, and stance remain intact while adapting the sensory input. It is a vivid example of how sports can be made accessible without diminishing the skill and focus involved. The result is a compelling demonstration of precision, discipline, and the athletes’ ability to translate sightless cues into accurate shooting.
Officials and coaches emphasize that communication and team coordination with guides are crucial. The guides help with stability, timing, and strategy, while the athlete concentrates on processing auditory feedback to adjust aim. This collaboration creates a powerful dynamic that elevates the competition and showcases the extraordinary teamwork behind each shot.
As the competition unfolds, spectators will have a front-row view of the interplay between technique and perception. The event aims to celebrate every participant who challenges limits while delivering an exhibition that highlights both the athletic and human sides of the sport. With athletes traveling from multiple regions, the championship stands as a showcase of national talent and the ongoing evolution of accessible shooting sports. [Source: FEDC]