The Karni Singh ranges in New Delhi will witness high-quality action when the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup finals are held from October 13 to 18. This being the season finale, where the best of the best compete after making the cut, it will be a chance for fans to see world-class shooters in flesh and blood. The focus, obviously, will be on Indian shooters, though Manu Bhaker will not be competing. She is on a break from shooting till November, something which she had decided after winning two bronze medals in the Paris 2024 Olympics and finishing fourth in the sports-pistol event in Chateauroux.
Based on the complex matrix of rankings, Divyansh Singh Panwar (10m air rifle), Sonam Uttam Maskar (women’s 10m air rifle), Rhythm Sangwan (women’s 10m air pistol & 25m pistol) and Ganemat Sekhon (women’s skeet) have been directly selected by the ISSF, based on 2024 rankings. In addition, Mairaj Khan in skeet, still going strong at 48, and Chain Singh (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions) will be seen representing India once again.
Besides Rhythm, other well-known faces will be competing. Those include Arjun Babuta, who finished an agonising fourth in the 10m air rifle at Paris 2024. Arjun Singh Cheema (men’s 10m air pistol), Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu (men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol), Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari (women’s trap), Maheshwari Chauhan (women’s skeet) and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka (men’s skeet) will also be firing at the ranges. Since India is the host and were allotted the World Cup finals by the ISSF in August, they have been able to push for more shooters.
“The World Cup finals represent a competition of the best of the best, where participation alone is a valuable experience for all involved,” Manu told RevSportz on Sunday. “However, I wish them more than just participation. I wish them learning, growth, and success in every sense. May they not only compete but also thrive and achieve greatness.”
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At Chateauroux during the Olympics, ISSF President Luciano Rossi had spoken of India and China being important in terms of athletes winning medals. He had told RevSportz in August, “India and China winning medals is important and very important for the ISSF in the world map.” He had also said at that time that hosting the shooting competition away from the main Olympic city of Paris was “a mistake”. The Karni Singh ranges are still very much within the NCR (National Capital Region).
With Kalikesh Singh Deo elected as President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) last Sunday, he is hopeful India can build on the momentum from the Olympics. Kalikesh and Sultan Singh, secretary of the NRAI, had told RevSportz in Chateauroux how important it was for India to host big events and look ahead. There is no dearth of talent and even now, the junior shooters will be representing India at the Junior World Championship in Peru.
“It will be a feast for shooting fans in India,” said Singh Deo. “We at the NRAI are committed to bringing these world events home on a regular basis not only to help our own shooters grow in confidence, but also to ensure that the upcoming generations can be inspired by real-life sporting legends including their own, by seeing them perform live in front of them.”
There will be a strong Chinese presence as well at the ISSF World Cup finals. The current Olympic champion in air rifle, Sheng Lihao, the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) champion Yukun Liu, the men’s 10m Air Pistol champion Xie Yu and the men’s 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol (RFP) champion, Li Yuehong, will all be seen in action in New Delhi. There is also a strong Korean presence with Yang Jiin flying in. She won the sports pistol event at the Olympics.
Turkey’s Yusuf Dikec, who became a rage on social media after the Olympics, has also confirmed participation. His unique stance and casual attire had caught everyone’s attention from the shooting ranges in Chateauroux.