Swapnil Kusale and Elavenil Valarivan lead a packed Indian squad on Day 1 as world shooting elite gathers in Germany for ISSF World Cup Munich
The ISSF World Cup 2025 kicks off in Munich on Tuesday with a strong Indian contingent ready to take on the world’s best in what promises to be one of the most competitive editions of the event. With 695 shooters from 78 countries converging on the Bavarian capital, the event features Olympic and world champions such as China’s Li Yuehong and Sheng Lihao, raising the stakes significantly for all participating nations.
India enters the event with depth and balance across rifle and pistol disciplines, and leading the charge on Day 1 are two of the country’s most seasoned performers Swapnil Kusale in the men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions and Elavenil Valarivan in the women’s 10m Air Rifle.
Full Day 1 Schedule: India’s Participation
The opening day sees Indian shooters compete in five different events across both men’s and women’s categories, spread across precision stages, relay rounds, and potential finals.
12:30 PM IST – 25m Pistol Women Precision Stage
India fields a strong trio in this event: Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur, and Esha Singh. The trio is backed by experienced names in Divya TS and Rahi Sarnobat, both of whom are competing as RPOs (Ranking Points Only). With Bhaker and Sarnobat both having featured in multiple World Cups and the Olympics, this event will set the tone for India’s pistol campaign.
12:45 PM IST – 10m Air Rifle Women – Relay 1
All eyes will be on Elavenil Valarivan, a former world number one and Tokyo Olympian, as she looks to reclaim her dominance. She is paired with young Ananya Naidu, who will be keen to make her mark on the international circuit. Elavenil has shown strong domestic form and Munich presents the perfect opportunity to convert that into a final appearance.
12:45 PM IST – 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men – Relay 1
In the men’s rifle 3P event, India’s experienced shooter Chain Singh opens the campaign alongside Akhil Sheoran (RPO). Both have shown consistency in national events, with Akhil being part of the quota-winning squad. This first relay will be crucial to setting up a competitive qualification total.
2:45 PM IST – 10m Air Rifle Women – Relay 2
The second relay features emerging shooter Arya Borse representing India, supported by RPOs Meghana Sajjanar and Ramita. With only the top eight advancing to the finals, the margin for error is minimal, and every decimal score will count.
3:00 PM IST – 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men – Relay 2
The focus shifts back to rifle 3P with Swapnil Kusale and Kiran Ankush Jadhav in action. Kusale, a consistent presence in finals at international events, is one of India’s most reliable shooters in this format. Niraj Kumar, shooting as RPO, adds experience to the group. The 3P event, often described as the most complete shooting discipline, will test precision, stamina, and mental resilience over kneeling, prone, and standing positions.
4:45 PM IST – 10m Air Pistol Men – Relay 1
Aditya Malra and Nishant Rawat step up in the men’s air pistol event, with Arjun Singh competing for RPO points. This discipline remains one of India’s strongest categories, thanks to recent performances by shooters like Sarabjot and Varun Tomar.
5:00 PM IST – 10m Air Rifle Women Final
Should India’s top shooters qualify, the final could mark the country’s first medal opportunity of the competition. With Elavenil in solid form, expectations are high for a podium finish.
6:45 PM IST – 10m Air Pistol Men – Relay 2
Evening sessions see Varun Tomar, currently among the top-ranked Indian pistol shooters, and RPO shooter Sarabjot Singh take the range. Tomar has already claimed medals this season and will look to continue his upward trajectory. His ability to finish strong under pressure makes him one of India’s best bets for Day 1 success.
9:00 PM IST – 10m Air Pistol Men Final
Another potential medal window, this final will depend on combined results from both relay sessions. With Varun, Aditya, and Nishant all in the mix, India has depths and options to aim for the podium.
Big Picture: India’s Medal Prospects and Key Goals
India is fielding a large and well-prepared contingent in Munich, using the World Cup as a crucial platform ahead of the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games. The emphasis will be on performance consistency, exposure for the next generation, and testing combinations in high-pressure environments.
Elavenil Valarivan’s presence boosts India’s chances in the women’s rifle event, while Swapnil Kusale remains a pillar of stability in men’s 3P. In pistol, the likes of Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, Varun Tomar will be central to India’s medal campaign for today.
The ISSF World Cup in Munich, a traditional powerhouse event on the shooting calendar, offers a litmus test for all contenders. For India, Day 1 could set the tone for a successful campaign—with experience and emerging talent sharing the stage in equal measure.