Australian Contingent Shines at 2025 Bianchi Cup
SSAA Marksmen Leave Their Mark on the International Stage
The 2025 CMP Bianchi Cup International Pistol Tournament, held in Columbia, Missouri, USA, once again confirmed its status as the pinnacle of action pistol shooting. Among the world’s most elite marksmen and women, Australia’s Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA) fielded a four-man contingent that not only represented its nation with pride but also proved formidable across individual and team events. Ryan McQuilty, Glenister Ayre, Chris Regan, and Daniel Fitzpatrick all delivered standout performances, cementing SSAA’s position as a serious international contender.
Daniel Fitzpatrick, Chris Regan, Ryan McQuilty and Glen Ayre performed brilliantly at the 2025 Bianchi Cup, firmly placing Australia on the action pistol stage.
A World-Class Showing in the Team Events
In the International category of the 2-Man Team Event, SSAA fielded two strong teams: SSAA Team A, comprising Ryan McQuilty and Chris Regan, and SSAA Team B, represented by Glenister Ayre and Daniel Fitzpatrick.
Both SSAA teams finished tied for first place along with Target Pistol Australia A, each achieving an aggregate score of 1,910 points. SSAA Team B edged slightly ahead in X-counts with 150, just ahead of SSAA Team A with 147, placing them second and third overall respectively, behind Target Pistol Australia A, who secured the top spot with 154 Xs.
This dual podium-level performance is particularly impressive given the high calibre of competition and demonstrates a depth of talent in SSAA’s ranks that few national programs can match. The consistency across the four events—Practical, Barricade, Moving Target and Falling Plates—highlighted the technical precision and mental resilience of both teams.
In the 4-Man Team Event, the SSAA squad—comprising McQuilty, Ayre, Regan, and Fitzpatrick—secured fifth place with an aggregate of 1,908 points and 146 Xs.
They finished just ten points behind the top three teams, all of whom scored an impressive 1,918, with ‘Making Action Great Again’ clinching first place on X-count (175). SSAA Australia matched Target Pistol Australia in score, though the latter edged ahead on Xs (148). Finishing ahead of seasoned international teams such as Accuracy X and Kurofune further underlined the strength and potential of the Australian delegation.
Individual Performances: High Master Class Precision
Daniel Fitzpatrick, Ryan McQuilty, Glen Ayre and Chris Regan proudly display their well-deserved hardware.
The individual results for the SSAA representatives reflected the high standard of competition at this year’s Bianchi Cup, with all four competitors shooting in the esteemed High Master category. Their performances were consistent and commendable, contributing strongly to team outcomes and offering a solid benchmark for future international campaigns.
Ryan McQuilty led the SSAA group with a total score of 1,909-144X, placing him within the top ten of the High Master field. He displayed remarkable consistency across all four matches, shooting a perfect 480 in every event leading into the Moving Target—making him one of only seven competitors to do so this year.
Chris Regan finished with 1,890-145X, delivering a balanced performance throughout. Unfortunately, mechanical issues on the Falling Plates cost him 20 valuable points. Despite this setback, Regan’s strong showings in earlier matches played a crucial role in SSAA Team A’s podium finish in the 2-Man event.
Glenister Ayre posted a score of 1,892-140X, showing steady progression across stages. After a modest start in the Practical event, Ayre found his rhythm in the Barricade and Mover matches, finishing strongly and contributing significantly to SSAA Team B’s shared top score in the 2-Man competition.
Daniel Fitzpatrick rounded out the team with a score of 1,890-153X, the highest X-count among the four. His ability to stay on target consistently was a notable asset in both team events, and his precision shooting was instrumental in Team B’s success.
Raising the Bar for SSAA’s Global Presence
For SSAA, this year’s Bianchi Cup campaign represents a new high-water mark. Fielding two competitive 2-Man teams alongside a cohesive 4-Man squad showcased not just participation, but serious intent and depth. Each athlete competed with composure and integrity, gaining valuable experience on one of the sport’s grandest stages.
Often described as the Wimbledon of action pistol shooting, the Bianchi Cup demands both skill and mental fortitude. In 2025, the SSAA’s top-tier shooters proved they belong among the best, gaining not only scores but international respect.
Looking Ahead
With the 2025 Bianchi Cup now in the rear-view mirror, attention turns to building on this success. The performances of McQuilty, Ayre, Regan, and Fitzpatrick have demonstrated a strong foundation of skill, teamwork, and competitive spirit. With this blend of talent and international exposure, SSAA is well-positioned to further climb the ranks in global action pistol events.
Championship Standings
The 2025 CMP Bianchi Cup Champion title was claimed by Bruce Piatt for an extraordinary eighth time, finishing with a near-flawless score of 1920-174X. Piatt narrowly edged out 20-time champion Douglas Koenig and Joey De Leon, who both finished on 1918, with Koenig taking second place thanks to a higher X-count of 182. Rounding out the top four was Mark Itzstein, an Australian expat now residing in the United States, who also posted 1918, just behind on X-count with 162.
