History

The idea of a world match was first floated by Walt Berger in 1990. Herve Du Plessis of France also championed the concept. Together they dreamed up the current format of a Light Varmint match, a Heavy Varmint match, and a novelty shoot at the end. The teams approach was revolutionary.

The first World Benchrest Championship was held at Frejus France in 1991, where 72 international shooters making up 14 teams lined up to do battle. It is fitting that the first medal of the first WBC went to Frenchman Herve Du Plessis who did so much to bring the event to completion. The USA B team comprising Brad Rosenthal, Faye Boyer, Lou Murdica, and George Kelbly narrowly won the 2 Gun Teams trophy from France A.

Initially the WBC was an NBRSA event, but it became evident that it would be better to form a world body to administer this match and perhaps widen it to cover rimfire at a later date.

The World Benchrest Shooting Federation was formed in 2001 following a meeting of delegates at the WBC in Nelson New Zealand. Inagural office bearers were Graeme Smith from New Zealand who was elected President, and Alan Peake from Australia who was elected Secretary.