The Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi will echo with the crack of rifles and pistols this week as the ISSF Junior World Cup begins on Wednesday, drawing 208 athletes from 18 nations.
India, the host nation, has fielded a formidable 69-member squad, the largest at the competition, which runs from September 24 to October 2. The tournament will see the next generation of marksmen and women contest medals in 15 Olympic and two non-Olympic events, with 51 medals on offer.
The entry list includes strong contingents from the United States (20), Italy (10), Czechia (9) and Iran (8), alongside shooters from Croatia, Great Britain, Spain, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Slovakia, Finland, Netherlands, Cyprus, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. Forty Individual Neutral Athletes will also compete under the AIN flag.
Several teams, including those from the United States, Great Britain, Italy and Cyprus, have already arrived in the capital and completed unofficial training rounds.
Also read: India top medal tally at ISSF Junior World Cup
This is the second and concluding Junior World Cup of the year. The opening leg in Suhl, Germany, in May saw India dominate the medals table with 11 podium finishes, three gold, four silver and four bronze.
Among India’s notable names are Olympia and Suhl silver medallist Raiza Dhillon, former world champion Abhinav Shaw, Suhl gold winners Shambhavi Kshirsagar and Tejaswani, and Suhl bronze medallists Naraen Pranav and Adriyan Karmakar.
International stars expected to shine include Italy’s World Championship medallist Arianna Nimber, along with compatriots Marco Coco, Matteo Bragalli and Luca Gerri. Croatia’s Toni Gudelj, a bronze medallist in Trap at Suhl, is also tipped to be a strong contender.
The competition is expected to test India’s young shooters against some of the most promising international names, offering a glimpse into the sport’s future while giving the hosts a chance to build on their Suhl success.
Follow us
