Indian Skeet Team Prepares for ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Tangier
Competition Kicks Off in Tangier
The Indian skeet shooting team is gearing up for the ISSF Shotgun World Cup, which begins tomorrow, March 27, at the Club Tangerois de Tir in Tangier, Morocco. This marks the inaugural event of the 2026 season, showcasing some of the top athletes from around the globe. The first day will feature 75 targets for both male and female competitors, followed by an additional 50 targets and finals scheduled for Sunday. Events will commence at 13:30 IST (9 AM local time), with the women's finals set for 20:30 IST (4 PM local time) and the men's finals at 22:00 IST (5:30 PM local time) on Sunday.
Star-Studded Women's Competition
The women's competition boasts a highly competitive lineup, including Olympic and World champions. Notable participants include Francisca Crovetto Chadid from Chile, the reigning Olympic champion, who is returning to the sport after maternity leave, and Samantha Simonton, the current world champion from the USA. Other prominent competitors include Italy's double Olympic and world champion Diana Bacosi, former world champion Dania Jo Vizzi from the USA, and Kazakhstan's Assem Orynbay, adding to the fierce competition.
Indian Women's Team
The Indian contingent features Olympian Maheshwari Chauhan alongside siblings Darshana and Yashasvi Rathore. Yashasvi, the younger sibling, secured second place in the 68th Nationals and earned a silver medal in the junior category at last year's Asian Championships in Shymkent. Areeba Khan and Mansi Raghuwanshi will also participate, though their focus will be on earning ranking points.
Competitive Men's Field
The men's event has attracted a robust field of 82 competitors, led by Emil Kjeldgaard Petersen of Denmark, the bronze medallist from the 2025 World Championships. Other top contenders include Christian Elliot from the USA, last season's World Cup finals winner, Italy's double Olympic champion Gabriele Rossetti, and Tokyo silver medallist Jesper Hansen from Denmark. Notably, Angad Vir Singh Bajwa will represent Canada for the first time after previously competing for India.
India's Prospects in Men's Category
India's aspirations in the men's category rest on the shoulders of seasoned shooters Man Singh and Parampal Singh Guron, along with Jyotiraditya Singh Sisodiya, who is set to make his senior international debut. Man, a former Asian champion, returns to the team after a three-year hiatus, while Parampal last represented India in 2022. Jyotiraditya earned a junior bronze in his last international appearance at the Shymkent Asian Championships and is eager to make an impact in his senior debut. Sukhbir Singh Harika and junior national champion Harmehar Singh Lally will also compete for ranking points. With a mix of Olympic champions, world champions, and emerging talents, the World Cup is poised to deliver an exciting start to the season. As athletes embark on their Olympic qualification journeys, all eyes will be on Tangier to see who establishes the early benchmarks for the year.