International Shooting World Cup Kicks Off in Granada with Strong Indian Representation
Exciting Start to the ISSF World Cup in Granada
The season-opening leg of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for Rifle and Pistol is set to commence in Granada, Spain. The event will take place at the Las Gabias Shooting Range, featuring a competitive lineup of 434 athletes from 51 National Olympic Committees, including a robust Indian team of 24 shooters participating in 10 Olympic events.
Indian Shooters Ready for Competition
India's squad includes three medal hopefuls in each individual event, along with 14 additional shooters competing solely for ranking points. The team has arrived ahead of schedule and has already familiarized themselves with the shooting ranges, with official training scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2026.
Among the Indian representatives, reigning Asian Games champion Palak will team up with Mukesh Nelavalli in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, which is the tournament's opening competition. The air rifle mixed team will feature Sonam Uttam Maskar and Gajanan Shahdev Khandagale, along with Shruti and Arshdeep Singh.
Strong Contenders from India
According to the selection policy, India has fielded shooters ranked between 4th and 6th in the national rankings. The team boasts established talents such as Akhil Sheoran, Anjum Moudgil, and Mehuli Ghosh, all of whom are world championship medalists. Additionally, the squad includes world cup final winner Simranpreet Kaur Brar, world record holder Rhythm Sangwan, and last year's Buenos Aires world cup gold medalist Vijayveer Sidhu.
Global Participation at the World Cup
For many shooters, including those from dominant nations like China, this World Cup marks the beginning of the international shooting season. China has entered a formidable 22-member team, featuring three reigning Olympic champions.
Other notable countries participating include Germany with 20 athletes, Italy with 16, France with 14, the USA with 13, and Chinese Taipei with 13, alongside the host nation Spain with 18 competitors and Kazakhstan with 15.
Star Athletes to Watch
Among the Olympic champions competing, China will showcase Sheng Lihao (men's 10m air rifle), Xie Yu (men's 10m air pistol), and Yukun Liu (men's 3P). Swiss athlete Chiara Leone, the women's 3P champion, will also kick off her international season in Granada.
Other prominent figures include Victor Lindgren from Sweden (Paris silver medalist and former world champion), the French pistol trio of Jean Quiquampoix (Tokyo Olympic champion), Clement Bessaguet (current world champion), and Camille Jedrzejewski (Paris silver medalist), as well as Norway's reigning world champion Jeanette Hegg Duestad.
The event will also feature the Paris silver-winning duo Yusuf Dikec and Sevval Tarhan from Turkiye, along with American Olympic silver medalists Sagen Maddalena (Paris) and Carolyn Mary Tucker (Tokyo).
Looking Ahead
With the world championships scheduled for later this year in Doha, which will award the first quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, top shooters are eager to gauge their competitive readiness. This event also serves as a crucial opportunity for India to assess its depth in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games.