Vitaly Miheev

Vitaly V. Miheev is a Latvian-born New Zealand paintball player, field operator and tournament organiser. He is known for his involvement with Asylum Paintball in Auckland, his presidency of the South Auckland Paintball Club (SAPC), and his participation in competitive paintball teams including Team Insane and ADHD.[1][2]

Miheev has been involved in recreational and competitive paintball in New Zealand since the late 1990s, with later roles in commercial field management, tournament organisation and international competition.

Early paintball career

Miheev began playing paintball in his native Latvia before moving to New Zealand.

According to historical recollections collected by WikiPaintball, he was involved with Latvia Paintball Club before joining the Auckland tournament paintball community, initially playing with Red Alert Paintball Club and later Team Insane.

He also participated in tournament refereeing during the early 2000s, including competitions in Rotorua.

These early activities are documented through retrospective accounts. Contemporary tournament rosters confirming his participation in individual events have not been located.

Commercial paintball operations

Lock N Load Paintball

Around 2010, Miheev became involved in the development and operation of Lock N Load Paintball, a commercial facility established near Auckland Airport.

The venue opened in 2011 and included recreational scenario fields and dedicated speedball facilities.[3]

His early role at Lock N Load is documented through firsthand accounts, although his precise employment dates and formal responsibilities have not been independently confirmed.

Asylum Paintball

Miheev was involved in establishing Asylum Paintball, which opened in 2013 at the former Kingseat Hospital complex in Karaka, south Auckland.

A 2014 Stuff report identified Miheev and Anton Klimenko as owners of the operation.[1]

A separate 2014 journalism record by Maria Ji, titled Bursting stereotypes at 15 balls per second, identified Miheev as Asylum Paintball's managing director.[4]

Historical business listings also identify Miheev as a management contact for the venue.[5]

Asylum developed indoor recreational playing areas and dedicated outdoor speedball facilities, hosting tournaments organised by the New Zealand Paintball Players League (NZPPL), South Auckland Paintball Club and other promoters.

Miheev was involved in the venue's tournament activities, including the development of competitive teams and events.

South Auckland Paintball Club

Miheev was involved with the South Auckland Paintball Club, an organisation that developed regular competitive paintball events in the Auckland region.

The club initially operated at Lock N Load before organising its Race Series at Asylum Paintball.

Miheev served as SAPC president during 2014. The club's 2014 End of Season Round Up, published on 30 September 2014, included a statement dated 27 September and signed by Vitaly V. Miheev, SAPC President.[6]

The club organised four Race Series events during 2014, including Open X-Ball and Mechanical Pump Division 4 competitions.[7]

ADHD paintball team

Miheev was a member of ADHD, an Auckland-based tournament team associated with Asylum Paintball.

An Asylum Paintball announcement published in 2014 named him in the team's core roster.[8]

ADHD won all four rounds of the 2014 SAPC Open X-Ball season, finishing first in the championship standings with 400 points.[7]

The team also won the NZPPL Auckland Race 2-4 event in August 2014 and competed at the Paintball World Cup Asia in Malaysia, finishing 12th of 22 teams in Division 2.[9]

These are documented team results and do not establish Miheev's individual participation in every match or event.

International tournament involvement

Miheev has also been associated with the Paintball Asia League Series (PALS) and international tournament operations, including Paintball World Cup Asia.

His involvement in event staffing and administration is recorded in historical accounts, although specific appointments and years have not been consistently established through contemporary published records.

A 2015 Team New Zealand tournament profile also identifies Miheev in a staff capacity rather than as a player. The precise nature of that appointment requires further documentation.

Later involvement

Miheev has subsequently been associated with Reavers, an Auckland-based competitive paintball team.

His involvement with the team's development is documented through firsthand accounts, although his formal role and the team's establishment date have not been independently confirmed.

References

External links