NEW DELHI: India underlined its growing dominance in world shooting by topping the medal tally at the 2026 ISSF Junior World Championships in Suhl, Germany, ending a sensational campaign with 24 medals, including seven gold, eight silver and nine bronze.The Indian contingent finished comfortably ahead of the Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), who secured 14 medals with six gold, while traditionally powerful Italy finished third with 10 medals, also with six gold.The outstanding performance marked another milestone for Indian shooting, with the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) celebrating the country’s success in rifle and pistol, individual, mixed and team events.
Young stars bring out a rifle and a pistol
India’s campaign began in style with Sejal Kamble winning gold in the women’s 10m air pistol while Himanshi added a bronze. Sejal then joined Vanshika Choudhary and Navya Bishnoi to win the team gold, giving India an early lead at the championships.The medals continued to flow as Sameer won gold in the men’s 25m rapid fire rifle, Rohit Kanyan topped the podium in the men’s 50m rifle three positions and Pritam Kendre emerged as the champion in the men’s 10m air rifle. Abhinav Deshwal later added another gold in the men’s 25m standard pistol, while Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar and Abhinav Shaw sealed gold in the mixed team 10m air rifle event.India also won multiple silver medals through Prachi Gaikwad, Shiva Narwal, Shaurya Dilip Bharne, Aishwarya Ravichandra Balehosur and several team events, highlighting the impressive depth of the junior squad.“To top the medal tally at the World Championships for two consecutive editions is a phenomenal achievement,” said NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo.“What makes me happiest is that these 24 medals did not come from just one or two individual stars. They are spread across rifle and pistol, individual, mixed and team events. This proves that our broad-based structural programs are working effectively,” he added.
A near-perfect campaign despite the missed opportunities
India’s final score could have been even richer.Vanshika Choudhary suffered heartbreak in the women’s 10m air pistol final after she failed to fire her final shot as she battled for gold and a possible junior world record due to an apparent mix-up during the closing moments. Missed deflected attempt for India a rare podium finish.The team also lost another chance at a medal when Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar was disqualified in the women’s 10m air rifle team event for failing the ISSF clothing tightness test.While India dominated the rifle and pistol shooting competitions, the shotgun remained a problem. The contingent failed to win a medal in the trap or skeet disciplines, and not a single shooter made it to the finals. Bhavya Tripathi and Rishan Guron qualified for the women’s final but finished eighth and seventh.
