New Delhi: India confirmed their rise in international shooting by finishing top of the medal table at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2026 in Suhl, Germany, ending an exciting campaign with 24 medals, including seven gold, nine silver and nine bronze.The Indian Army finished well ahead of the Athletes Without Borders (AIN), who bagged 14 medals and 6 golds, while the traditional Italians came third with 10 medals, including six golds.The spectacular performance also marked another important event in Indian shooting, as the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) celebrates the country’s success in rifle and shotgun events, special, mixed and group events.
Young youths offer guns and rifles
India’s campaign started in style as Sejal Kamble bagged the gold in the women’s 10m air pistol, while Himanshi added a bronze. Sejal then joined forces with Vanshika Choudhary and Navya Bishnoi to win the team gold, giving India an early lead in the competition.The medals continued as Sameer struck gold in the men’s 25m rifle, Rohit Kanyan climbed three places in the men’s 50m rifle, and Pritam Kendre emerged as the champion in the men’s 10m rifle. Abhinav Deshwal later added another gold in the men’s 25m air rifle, while Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar and Abhinav Shaw sealed gold in the mixed 10m air rifle event.India also bagged several silver medals through Prachi Gaikwad, Shiva Narwal, Shaurya Dilip Bharne, Aishwarya Ravichandra Balehosur and several team events, showing the depth of the young squad.“Winning an international championship in two consecutive races is a great achievement,” NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said.“What pleases me the most is that these 24 policies did not just come from one or two stars. They were spread over rifles and guns, special events, mixed with groups. It proves that our grassroots programs are working well,” he added.
A very close campaign even if you lose your chance
India’s final figure would be much richer.Vanshika Choudhary was heartbroken in the women’s 10m air rifle final when she missed the final shot as she chased gold and a world record thanks to a flurry in the closing stages. The missed attempt denied India a rare sweep of victory.The team also lost another chance for a medal when Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar was disqualified from the women’s 10m rifle event for failing the ISSF clothing hardness test.While India dominated the rifle and shotgun competitions, firearms remained a concern. The athletes did not win a medal in either trap or skeet, with no male shooter making it to the finals. Bhavya Tripathi and Rishan Guron won the women’s final but finished 8th and 7th respectively.
