Olympians Arjun Babuta and Arya Rajesh Borse delivered an outstanding performance in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, defeating China’s world record-holding duo of Sheng Lihao—also the reigning Olympic and World Champion—and Wang Zifei. The Indian pair secured the gold medal with a convincing 17-7 scoreline at the Munich International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup (Rifle/Pistol), marking India’s second gold at the competition, alongside two previously won bronze medals.
Competing on the final day of the World Cup (Saturday, June 14, 2025), Arjun (317.7) and Arya (317.5) combined for a total of 635.2 points in the qualification round, placing second behind Sheng and Wang, who set a new world (and junior) record with 635.9 points among 58 teams.
In the gold medal match, Arya opened with a 9.8, giving the Chinese team an early 0-2 lead. However, the Indian duo quickly gained control, dropping just one shot below 10.5 over the next seven rounds, building a dominant 13-3 lead after the eighth series.
The Chinese pair fought back to win the next two series, narrowing the gap slightly in the race to 16. But Arjun and Arya responded strongly in the 11th round, scoring 10.5 and 10.7 to reach match point.
In the decisive 12th series, Arjun matched Sheng with a 10.1, and Arya edged out Wang 10.6 to 10.4, clinching a memorable win for India.
India’s second team in the event—Elavenil Valarivan and Kiran Ankush Jadhav—also performed well, scoring 631.8 in the first qualification relay to place sixth overall.
One final event—the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team—is scheduled to take place later in the day.
Other Indian results:
10m Air Pistol Mixed Team: Manu Bhaker and Aditya Malra scored 577, finishing sixth in their relay.