Olympic bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale and Asian Games gold medalist Palak are set to return to international action as part of India’s 23-member contingent for the upcoming ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup in Munich, Germany, scheduled for the first week of June. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) confirmed their inclusion on Monday.
Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker continues her stronghold in the national team, being the only athlete selected to compete in two individual events—the women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol.
Joining Swapnil in his comeback is air rifle shooter Sandeep Singh, who will don Indian colours for the first time since the Paris Olympics.
The announcement follows India’s strong showing at the combined ISSF World Cup stages in Argentina and Peru, where the team brought home 15 medals, including six golds. India finished second in Argentina and third in Peru. Thirteen athletes from those events have retained their spots for Munich, with the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions and 25m pistol line-ups remaining unchanged.
The Munich event will also witness three promising shooters make their senior India debuts. Maharashtra’s Ananya Naidu, the reigning national champion, will compete on the international stage for the first time. She will be joined by Haryana’s Aditya Malra—winner of the recent Kumar Surendra Singh Memorial Mixed Team title—and Army shooter Nishant Rawat, both of whom are new additions in men’s air pistol.
Meanwhile, Rudrankksh Patil and fellow rifle shooter Aishwary Tomar have opted out of the competition voluntarily.
