Eric Grauffel

Sport: IPSC

Firearm model: Shadow 2, Shadow 2 OR , CZ 75 TS Czechmate, CZ P-10 C

IPSC Division, Category: Production, Overall

Nationality: French

Year of birth: 1979

City, Country of residence: Quimper, France

Occupation: Gun store owner, Shooting Instructor

Languages: French, English , Italian, (Some German, Spanish)

How and at what age did you start with sport shooting and competing in the IPSC?

I started shooting at 8 years old and competing in the IPSC at just 10. Basically, my dad was a shooter, but also president of the club. Since I'm an only child, I spent my weekends at the shooting range.

What do you like best about the IPSC?

The adrenaline. Speed, focus and mechanics of the gun. It's not only the man, but also the “machine”, which means the equipment. I see the IPSC the same as the car world sees Formula 1.

Why did you choose CZ?

I wanted to be part of a great team and factory. CZ is one of the strongest and most well-known gun manufacturers in the world, but is also very involved in shooting sports and their development.

How and why did you join the CZ Shooting team?

I don’t know if I chose CZ, or if CZ chose me. I think it's a bit of both. Even if we were competitors over the years, we’ve always had friendly relations outside the competitive events. We came up with the idea to create a shooting academy in Europe, and CZ saw the project as a tool to help develop the sport, as well as use it for military and police trainings.

How do you prepare for a competition?

That’s not a simple question. I try to shoot as much as I can, focus on the goal (hitting Alphas) and that’s it. Seriously, I don’t really prepare for a competition, as I tend to train all year long. For a European or worldwide event, I increase the volume of my training a couple of weeks prior to the event.  

What is a best advice you were ever given?

If you want to be a champion, you better work twice as hard as the current champion.

What is your biggest success in the IPSC?

I think most people would say being the World Champion, but I would say having the full support of the family within the sport. This is probably the best success, because without that, it wouldn’t be possible to succeed.

How would you rate your weapon? (Handling, Accuracy, etc.)

If I wouldn't have full confidence in CZ guns, I wouldn’t shoot them. So you can guess the rating!