A 24-member Indian shooting contingent has landed in China with the task of testing itself against the best in the business as the fourth and final stage of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol season gets underway in Ningbo.
The week-long competition, spread over six days, will see 320 shooters from 42 nations battle for 10 medal sets, making it one of the most competitive events in the calendar. For India, this stage is not just about medals it is about gaining valuable international exposure, building momentum ahead of the World Championships in Cairo (November), and securing a few last berths for the season-ending World Cup Finals in Doha (December).
The Indian team for Ningbo consists primarily of shooters ranked between fourth and sixth in national standings, rather than the top-ranked names who often shoulder the country’s medal expectations. This strategic selection gives an opportunity to the second line of talent to experience world-level competition, while India’s elite shooters prepare for bigger assignments later in the year. Still, the squad is not short on quality or experience. Olympians such as Ramita, Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Rhythm Sangwan bring pedigree to the contingent, while others like Umamahesh Maddenini, Meghana Sajjanar, and Surbhi Rao represent India’s next generation of international hopefuls.
For many, Ningbo could be a career-defining stage to demonstrate they belong at the highest level.
Opening Day: Mixed Team Focus
The competition begins with the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team finals on Tuesday, where India will field fresh combinations.
- In rifle, Ramita–Umamahesh Maddenini and Divyansh Singh Panwar–Meghana Sajjanar will be India’s two pairs. Both combinations are untested at this level, making their performance one of the early talking points of the event.
- In pistol, Rhythm Sangwan partners with Nishant Rawat, while Surbhi Rao teams up with Amit Sharma to complete India’s representation.
Mixed team events have become crucial in modern shooting, often testing communication, rhythm, and mental sharpness under pressure. India has historically done well in this format, but with newer pairs in Ningbo, expectations are tempered with curiosity.
A Global Stage with Olympic Stardust
The Ningbo stage is expected to be one of the toughest in the 2025 World Cup circuit. At least four reigning Olympic champions will be in action, underlining the calibre of competition India’s emerging names will face. China, as hosts, have fielded a formidable squad headlined by Sheng Lihao, the Olympic champion and world record holder in men’s air rifle. Sheng’s consistency and ability to deliver under pressure make him the man to beat in Ningbo.
Adding to the star power is Switzerland’s Chiara Leone, who stunned the field in Paris to win gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P). Korea too arrives with confidence, sending their Paris Olympic pistol champions Oh Yejin and Yang Jiin, both looking to extend their dominance in Ningbo. With such names in the fray, the event is as much about gaining psychological advantage ahead of November’s World Championships as it is about winning medals here.
Beyond the host nation, nearly every major shooting powerhouse is represented in strength.
- France has sent 20 shooters, including multiple finalists from earlier stages.
- Italy (18) and Germany (15) bring experienced squads known for technical discipline.
- Czechia (14) and Japan (13) add depth, while nations such as Australia, Iran, Serbia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Vietnam ensure the field is packed with medal contenders from every continent.
This wide participation ensures Ningbo will replicate the competitive atmosphere of a World Championship, offering the Indian squad the perfect testing ground.
India’s Prospects: A Test of Depth
Unlike some past editions where India entered as one of the strongest teams, Ningbo will be more of a developmental outing. The primary goal is to allow India’s second line of shooters to adapt to the pressure of global competition, while also experimenting with combinations in team events. That said, expectations are not entirely absent. Rhythm Sangwan, who has shown flashes of brilliance on the World Cup circuit, remains one of India’s best medal hopes in pistol events. In rifle, Divyansh Singh Panwar, a Tokyo Olympian, has the ability to make deep runs if he finds form.
Youngsters like Ramita and Surbhi Rao will be closely observed for how they handle the intensity of finals stages.
Another area of focus will be qualification scores. Even if medals prove difficult against a world-class field, consistent high qualifying scores can help Indian shooters earn valuable ranking points and experience ahead of Doha and Cairo. For India, this World Cup is significant on several fronts.
- Preparation for Cairo – The World Championships in November will be the biggest test of the year, and Ningbo serves as a rehearsal against the same opponents.
- Qualification for Doha Finals – Strong performances here can secure berths in the prestigious World Cup Finals, reserved for the season’s best performers.
- Developing Bench Strength – With India’s top-ranked shooters resting, the focus is on giving exposure to the next tier, ensuring the pipeline remains strong ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
The six-day competition promises high drama and intense battles. For India, every match is an opportunity to experiment, to learn, and to surprise. The younger squad has little to lose and everything to gain. As the rifles and pistols are raised in Ningbo, the question will not just be whether India wins medals, but whether these shooters can take the next step in their international journeys. In the company of Olympic champions and world record holders, Indian shooting’s next line is about to find out exactly where it stands.
At the end of the week, whether or not medals come, India will return from Ningbo richer in experience, clearer in direction, and hopefully with a few breakout performances to celebrate.
