BDGS: #014 - Andreas Yankopolous - Practical Shooter and Pistol Instructor

Andreas Yankopolous, on Twitter as https://twitter.com/atl_flaneur, began his journey in practical pistol competition with IDPA in 2000. After several years, he took a break due to a plateau in his match results. During this time, he maintained his pistol proficiency and expanded his skills in carbine and long-range rifle through classes and practice. In 2011, a friend reintroduced him to pistol competition through Steel Challenge, and he started competing in USPSA two years later. Despite initially classifying as an A shooter, he encountered a similar plateau. In 2014, he hosted Ben Stoeger for a class at his home club, which significantly improved his shooting and training. His match results improved rapidly, leading him to achieve Grand Master status in 2017. Andreas won the Georgia and North Carolina state championships in the Production division in 2022 and podiumed at the South Carolina championship in 2023. Andreas continues to refine his skills and match results through near-daily practice, training with other dedicated shooters, participating in the Practical Shooting Training Group, and receiving instruction from experts like Ben Stoeger, JJ Racaza, Travis Tomasie, and the late Ron Avery. He has hosted Ben's classes in Atlanta annually since 2014. In 2018, Andreas began teaching formally, offering a one-day class focused on core practical shooting skills, along with private classes tailored to individual needs. He continually updates his classes based on his skill development, effective training methods, and student feedback. In 2020, Ben invited him to teach at the first PSTG Summit, and Andreas has returned to instruct every year since. He is also a frequent host on the Training Group Live podcast.