Ljubiša Momčilovič

Sport: IPSC

Firearm model: CZ SHADOW 2

IPSC Division, Category: Production, Overall

Nationality: Serbian

Year of birth: 1972

City, Country of residence: Belgrade, Serbia

Occupation: Police Officer

Languages: English

Interests:  Hunting

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

My first contact with the IPSC was in 2001. It was at the start of IPSC sport shooting in Yugoslavia, Serbia. There was a small match in the town of Zajecar, which is in the eastern part of Serbia. At that time, I was working there as a policeman and heard from local police officers that there was a nearby shooting range and a competition would be held there. I went to see the competition on my lunch break, and afterwards, the director of the competition allowed me to shoot a few stages. After completing the stages, I was hooked.

What do you like best about the IPSC?

IPSC shooting is a very challenging sport. There are always different stages at the matches. It's necessary to think and prepare the shooting scenario for every stage, moving to the position of each target and stage scenario. One needs to find the best tactic on how to do it each time and for each stage, since we only have one chance to do it.

Why did you choose CZ?

My first service gun when I was on the police force was a CZ 75, which was manufactured in 1988. It was a perfect, all steel gun. I like how the CZ grip fits in my hand. It's very comfortable and allows me to control recoil well.

How and why did you join the CZ Shooting team?

At the 2007 European Handgun Championship in France, I came in 8th place overall in the Production Division. After the competition, CZ Team Manager Mr. Milan Trkulja asked me to join the CZ team. At that time, I was shooting a Para Ordnance LDA gun and it was the right time to change to the Shadow. Support provided by the CZ Team also meant a lot to me. At the following EHC, I came in 3^rdplace.

How do you prepare for a competition?

I’m shooting at the range 3-4 times per week and fire around 300-400 rounds during each session. In addition to live firing, I also do a lot of dry firing and fitness exercises. Mental preparation for the stages is the most important part of your score. A few years ago, I found that a few “things” help me to shoot perfectly and others cause a lot of psychological problems that negatively affect my score. Scores from stage to stage on one day of the competition can vary, even if using the same gun, same ammo and same shooting gear. Where is the problem? Well, the problem is in our head and depends on how mentally prepared we are for each match, each stage and each target. I've started reading books about mental training and mental preparation, with positive results coming fast. Now I use that experience and knowledge to improve my shooting skills.

What is a best advice you were ever given? 

During a match a few years ago, Mr. Milan Trkulja asked me about my shooting score on the stages. I started to explain all the mistakes I had made until that time. He carefully listened to all my explanations and then asked me if I knew what three things each shooter needs to have in order to be the best. I still remember what he told me: A good gun, good ammo and a good excuse. After that lesson, I no longer make excuses.