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Combat Challenge 2025: Great Atmosphere and Success of Czech Shooters

5. října 2025Rigad News Hana SelákováReading time 4 minutesRead: 163x

The first official Combat Challenge Jasná 2025 (September 13–14) at the Jasná range in Liptov built on last year’s pilot edition, drawing about 100 shooters in 20 squads. This tactical shooting competition with “blind” stages tested quick decision-making, precision, and physical endurance over two demanding days. Our friend Martin Firych claimed a strong 2nd place finish.

Combat Challenge Jasná: Rules, Format, and the “Blind” Stage Concept

Combat Challenge Jasná is a tactical shooting competition organized by the Tactical Combat Academy (TCA) in cooperation with the Jasná Shooting Sports Complex in Slovakia.
Unlike standard shooting matches, most stages are “blind” — competitors only learn the layout and objectives during the stage briefing. Split-second decisions and correct threat recognition are key. The competition is open to both men and women who can safely handle both handgun and rifle and bring their own gear.

“The stages were designed so that no one knew what to expect in advance. There were plenty of targets and no-targets, and you had to decide within a split second whether to shoot or not.”
Martin Firych
Combat Challenge 2025 Jasná. Photo: Rigad

The two-day competition (Saturday–Sunday) ran with 20 squads of five shooters each — about 100 participants in total.

How Combat Challenge Jasná Works: Stages, Scoring, and Safety

The two-day competition (Saturday–Sunday) ran with 20 squads of five shooters each — about 100 participants in total. Organizers prepared ten unique “blind” stages, ranging from CQB and active shooter scenarios to vehicle ambush, Iveco tower, trenches, and a bunker. Physical challenges were also included — running with a 30 kg backpack, dragging a dummy, or carrying crates.
Weather conditions shifted from sunshine to thunderstorms, but the squad rotation kept things fair for everyone.

Scoring combined time and accuracy: shooters fired three rounds per target, earning points for body and head hits, and had to correctly identify shoot/no-shoot situations. Harsh penalties (e.g., +20 s) could quickly change the rankings. Safety was overseen by the TCA team led by Chief Range Officer Gabriel Trojčák. Rules and procedures for all divisions were clear and consistent.

What Makes Combat Challenge Jasná Different from Other Shooting Competitions

Combat Challenge doesn’t just test marksmanship — it evaluates tactical thinking and decision-making under pressure:

  • Stages remain hidden until the briefing – no walkthroughs or prior inspection.
  • Photo targets require instant threat vs. civilian recognition (shoot/no-shoot).
  • Physical stress adds realism and tests endurance.
  • Shooting is performed from varied positions and distances – from close contact to several hundred meters.
The shooter throws a practice grenade in the trench stage at the Jasná Shooting Range, the referee oversees the execution. Photo: Rigad

Trench stage with grenade throw. TCA referee checks safety and correct execution of the task.

Jasná Shooting Range (Liptov, Slovakia): A Unique Tactical Facility

The Jasná range is a former military training area converted into a modern shooting complex. It supports large-caliber and full-auto fire, features multiple independent ranges, grenade throwing zones, and varied terrain for CQB, trenches, and long-distance shooting. This setup allows for realistic, complex scenarios that truly test both shooters and their equipment.

Event Organization & Facilities: Tactical Combat Academy & Drevenica pod Sitieňom

The Tactical Combat Academy organized the competition professionally from start to finish.
Accommodation and catering were provided by Drevenica pod Sitieňom – including hearty outdoor lunches, a Friday meet & greet with hot buffet, and a Saturday BBQ evening.
On Sunday, participants could revisit selected stages to improve their runs. The program also included a military display, with the opportunity to fire a MINIMI machine gun.

Highlight Stages: Trenches, Bunker, CQB & Vehicle Ambush

Combat Challenge Jasná featured ten “blind” scenarios, but a few stood out.
Here are three stages that best captured the spirit of the event — trench fighting with cover work, a logical bunker scenario, and a realistic vehicle ambush.
Each combined marksmanship, tactical reasoning, and physical effort into one complete challenge.

3 Moments We’ll Remember

Trenches

A unique environment rarely seen in competitions. Work with cover, grenade throwing, and shooting from various distances and positions. A mix of technique and tactics — choosing between engaging close or long-range targets.

Bunker

A stage built around logical clues and fast decision-making under pressure. Competitors had no idea what awaited them; only a handful managed a clean run.

Vehicle Ambush

Starting from the back seat, taking the weapon from the “driver,” and reacting to a threat through the windshield. What followed was a quick transition into a maze of targets resolved by priority — where speed and correct decisions went hand in hand.

Combat Challenge vs. Lynx Brutality

The competition drew comparisons with other established European events. According to Martin Firych, who has competed abroad as well, Combat Challenge Jasná proved to be more demanding than Slovenia’s Lynx Brutality, held this May and organized by our friends at Polenar Tactical. While Lynx focuses primarily on physical endurance and open stages, Combat Challenge—with its blind scenarios—puts a greater emphasis on tactical decision-making and threat identification. For shooters, that means mastering not just the shooting itself but also instantly evaluating the situation without the chance to walk the stage beforehand.

“Compared to Lynx, this is a much tougher competition — mainly because the stages are blind and it’s far more about tactics.”

Community, Results & Partners (Combat Challenge Jasná)

🏆 2nd Place for Martin Firych

Our friend Martin Firych earned a strong 2nd place finish.
His consistent performance across all “blind” stages proved that in Combat Challenge, success depends not only on shooting skill but also on tactical thinking, accurate threat recognition, and composure under pressure.

Martin Firych at Combat Challenge Jasná 2025 with the trophy for 2nd place in front of the official banner. Photo: Rigad

Martin Firych – 2nd place at Combat Challenge Jasná 2025.

Video: Combat Challenge 2025 — Interview & Action Footage

Lukáš from the Rigad team and Martin Firych discuss the competition at the Jasná Shooting Range. A short interview complemented by dynamic on-stage action moments.

Rigad • YouTube

International Participation

Shooters arrived from Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Serbia, giving the competition a truly international scope.
It was not only about results, but also about sharing experience and strengthening the regional shooting community.

Rigad as a Partner

Rigad proudly supported the first official Combat Challenge as a partner.
We believe in standing behind events that promote safe and responsible shooting — exactly what Combat Challenge Jasná represents.

👉 Want to experience the atmosphere up close?
Check out our photo gallery featuring highlights from the stages, facilities, and awards ceremony.

Join Us in 2026!

If you handle both pistol and rifle and want to push your limits, follow Combat Challenge Jasná and consider joining next year’s edition — it’s absolutely worth it.

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