Chinese shooters once again demonstrated their global supremacy at the ISSF World Cup Final at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, dominating the event with a formidable display of skill, focus, and intent. Their performance reaffirmed their status as the world’s top shooting nation, particularly following their remarkable success at the Paris Olympics, where they topped the medal tally with 10 medals, including five gold.
While India’s top shooters including Manu Bhaker, Swapnil Kusale, and Sarabjot Singh opted to rest and enjoy their hard-earned bronze medals from Paris, China’s shooting squad wasted no time and set their sights on the future. They arrived in New Delhi with the same fierce determination, underscoring their relentless pursuit of excellence, as they prepared for the next Olympic cycle leading up to the Los Angeles Games.
India’s squad, though missing their Paris medalists, still boasted nine Olympians, including rifle shooter Arjun Babuta, pistol shooters Rhythm Sangwan, Arjun Singh Cheema, Anish Bhanwala, and Vijayveer Sidhu, along with shotgun shooters Anatjeet Singh Naruka, Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh, and Maheshwari Chauhan. However, they struggled to make a significant mark. Only Anantjeet managed to claim a bronze in the Men’s skeet, while others faced a challenging road to redemption.
China’s shooters, on the other hand, displayed no signs of fatigue despite their Paris triumphs. Sheng Lihao, who secured gold in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle at the Olympics, carried his winning form into New Delhi, claiming another gold in the same event. Liu Yukun, Paris gold medalist in the Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions — an event where India’s Swapnil won bronze — was pipped by India’s Akhil Sheoran for bronze but still impressed with his consistency. Meanwhile, Huang Yuting, a gold medallist in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle at the Olympics, continued her winning ways with another gold in New Delhi.
The competition was a showcase of China’s immense depth. Shooters like Han Jiayu and Paris bronze medalist Zhang Qiongyue reached the finals, with Han securing bronze in the Women’s 50m Rifle Three Positions. Yu Xie, who claimed gold in Paris in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol, replicated his success by winning gold again in New Delhi. Qi Ying upgraded his Paris silver to gold in the Men’s Trap, and the Li Yuehong-Wang Xinjie rivalry in the Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol saw the same result as in Paris, with Li taking gold and Wang securing bronze.
Though some athletes, like Jiang Ranxin and Li Xue, missed the podium in New Delhi, China’s overwhelming success — five golds and three bronzes — solidified their dominance in the shooting world.
The Chinese shooters were not alone in showing up for the ISSF World Cup Final. Turkey’s Yusuf Dikec, who made headlines with his unconventional style and silver in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, also competed. Korea’s Jiin Yang, the gold medallist in the Women’s 25m Pistol at Paris, adding to the high-profile competition.
China’s stellar performance in New Delhi serves as a strong reminder of their unparalleled commitment to the sport as they gear up for the next Olympic cycle.