Indian Shooters Prepare for National Selection Trials Ahead of International Competitions

India's top rifle and pistol shooters are set to compete in the National Selection Trials 3 in Delhi, following their impressive performance at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship. With a packed international calendar ahead, including the ISSF World Cup and Asian Games, athletes are eager to secure their spots on the national team. The trials will feature all Olympic events, and coaching camps will follow to prepare for the upcoming competitions. This year marks the start of a new Olympic cycle leading to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, making these trials crucial for the athletes' future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 18:10 IST

Top Shooters Set for National Selection Trials

After a stellar showing at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, where India secured the top position with a remarkable haul of 76 medals—39 gold, 18 silver, and 19 bronze—India's elite rifle and pistol shooters are gearing up for the National Selection Trials 3 (Group A). These trials are set to take place at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi from March 6 to March 10, just ahead of a busy international and domestic shooting calendar starting next month.

Nearly all of India's leading shooters will participate in ten events, which encompass all eight Olympic events along with rifle prone competitions for both men and women. The athletes are focused on achieving qualifying scores to bolster their chances of being selected for the national team for upcoming international competitions later this year. Additionally, Selection Trials 3 and 4 for Group B athletes will kick off tomorrow at the M.P. State Shooting Academy in Bhopal, running from March 6 to March 22, 2026.

Commencement of National Coaching Camps

Following the selection trials, the national squad athletes will commence their coaching camp in New Delhi from March 10 to March 21. Concurrently, the national camp for shotgun athletes has already begun in New Delhi, with skeet shooters being the first to report. Trap shooters are scheduled to join the national camp on March 8.

Exciting International Season Ahead

The national squad camp will precede a pre-event camp for the ISSF World Cup Shotgun, marking the first World Cup of the year, which will take place in Tangier, Morocco, from March 21 to April 3. Earlier announcements have confirmed the Indian teams for the initial two Rifle/Pistol World Cup stages in Granada and Munich, as well as the Shotgun events in Tangier and Almaty.

This year marks the beginning of a new Olympic cycle leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with the first quota spots to be determined at the ISSF World Championship in Doha, scheduled for October-November 2026. The season will also include the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, where Indian shooters are expected to perform strongly. With these significant events approaching, both domestic and international competitions will be vital for team selections across rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines.