India is set to host the ISSF World Cup Final 2024, bringing together the world’s top shooters for a thrilling competition at the iconic Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi from October 15-17. With a 23-member Indian team, including 12 Olympians, competing across all 12 Olympic shooting events, the nation is looking to make its mark in front of a home crowd.
Olympic stars lead the Indian charge
The Indian squad features nine athletes from the 2024 Paris Olympics, including standout names like Arjun Babuta (Men’s 10m Air Rifle), Anish Bhanwala (Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol), and Rhythm Sangwan, who will compete in both the Women’s 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol events. They will be joined by other Olympians, including two-time Olympian Mairaj Ahmad Khan, 2021 Tokyo Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar (Men’s 10m Air Rifle), and 2016 Rio Olympian Chain Singh (Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions), adding depth and experience to the team.
Big absences but strong contenders
Despite the absence of Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale, who won individual medals in Paris, India’s shooting contingent remains formidable. Rising stars like Ganemat Sekhon (Women’s Skeet) and Sonam Uttam Maskar (Women’s 10m Air Rifle) will look to shine, having earned their spots based on world rankings.
Meanwhile, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, who dominated the 2023 Asian Games, will not be competing, and Sarabjot Singh, Manu’s partner in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team in Paris Olympics, is also not in the lineup.
Paris Olympians eye podium glory
With India ranked fifth in this year’s ISSF World Cup series standings, the team will look to build on its 3 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals from earlier in the season. China currently leads the standings with 7 golds, but India’s squad, led by promising young shooters and seasoned Olympians, has the potential to disrupt the rankings.
Key athletes to watch include Rhythm Sangwan, who has been a consistent performer this year, and Anish Bhanwala, India’s sole medallist at the ISSF World Cup Final 2023 in Doha. He returns to compete in the Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol and will be looking to defend his podium spot.
Indian Shooting Squad for ISSF World Cup Final 2024:
Women
10m Air Rifle: Sonam Uttam Maskar, Tilottama Sen
50m Rifle Three Positions: Ashi Chouksey, Nischal
10m Air Pistol: Rhythm Sangwan, Surbhi Rao
25m Pistol: Rhythm Sangwan, Simranpreet Kaur Brar
Trap: Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh
Skeet: Ganemat Sekhon, Maheshwari Chauhan
Men
10m Air Rifle: Divyansh Singh Panwar, Arjun Babuta
50m Rifle Three Positions: Chain Singh, Akhil Sheoran
10m Air Pistol: Arjun Singh Cheema, Varun Tomar
25m Rapid Fire Pistol: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu
Trap: Vivaan Kapoor, Bhowneesh Mendiratta
Skeet: Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan
The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as India’s best shooters aim for glory at the ISSF World Cup Final 2024.