Major Paweł Małek served in the Polish Army and also represented the Grunwald Poznań military sports school as a pistol shooting specialist. Małek won his first national title in 1967 when he became the Polish champion in the 25 metres military pistol event. He won the title again in 1970 and 1974, along with the freestyle pistol title, also in 1974. During his career he became a two-time European champion, winning the 40-shot air pistol team title in 1971, followed by individual success in the same event in 1974. Małek had his best performance at the World Championships in 1970, winning bronze in the 60-shot team freestyle pistol. Two years earlier he had competed in the 50 metres free pistol at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics where he finished fifth, just four points outside the medals.
Poland