Konrad STÄHELI

Konrad Stäheli had a long and very successful career in shooting. From 1898 to 1914, he won at least one title in the annual World Championships, except for 1903, when he did not participate. Overall, he won a stunning 41 world titles, and a grand total of 69 World Championship medals. Stäheli excelled in both rifle and pistol shooting, which allowed him to amass this large number of victories. His most notable title came in 1909 in Hamburg, when Stäheli became the first man to break the 1000 points barrier in the free rifle event. This World Record also helped the Swiss team beat the French by just two points. Remarkably, Stäheli only took part in two Olympics, in 1900 (which doubled as the World Championships) and 1906, winning four titles. (Some sources also include the individual free rifle events in 1906, in which Stäheli won three medals, but no medals were awarded in these competitions). For reasons unknown, the very successful Swiss marksmen did not compete in 1908 and 1912. After the First World War, he no longer competed in major events, and dedicated himself to raising interest in his favourite sport and training youngsters.