New Delhi turned into a festival of shooting brilliance as Indian juniors delivered a stellar medal rush at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025, showcasing the depth of young talent in the country’s shooting ecosystem.
From clean sweeps in rifle events to podium dominance in pistol and shotgun, India’s next generation of sharpshooters put on a display of skill and composure that bodes well for the nation’s future on the global stage. The star of the week was undoubtedly Jonathan Gavin Antony, who produced a clinical performance to claim gold in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol. The 16-year-old displayed nerves of steel in the final, posting a brilliant 244.8 to outclass Italy’s Luca Arrighi by a commanding 8.5-point margin.
Antony, who has been touted as one of India’s brightest shooting prospects, lived up to the hype with a performance marked by precision and maturity well beyond his years. Adding to India’s pistol haul, Rashmika Sahgal clinched silver in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol, scoring 236.1 in a tightly fought final. Sahgal, fresh from her gold at the Asian Shooting Championships last month, continued her fine run of form to secure another international medal. Teammates Vanshika Chaudhary and Mohini also impressed, finishing fifth and sixth respectively to underline India’s growing depth in the event.
Mixed Team Magic: All-Indian Final in 10m Air Pistol
If Antony’s individual triumph was a statement of personal excellence, the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Junior final was a celebration of India’s collective dominance. In a thrilling all-Indian final, Rashmika Sahgal paired with Kapil Kapil to secure gold with a 16–10 victory, defeating compatriots Vanshika Chaudhary and Jonathan Gavin Antony, who settled for silver.
The match showcased the clinical precision and consistency of India’s young shooters, with both pairs demonstrating composure under pressure. Spain’s Ines Ortega Castro and Lucas Sanchez Tome finished with the bronze, but the day belonged to the Indian contingent, which locked up the top two steps of the podium.
Rifle Supremacy: Podium Sweeps in 50m Prone
India’s rifle shooters ensured that the country’s medal count kept soaring. In a historic display of dominance, the nation swept the podium in the Women’s 50m Rifle Prone Junior event.
- Anushka Thokur struck gold with a superb score of 621.6,
- Anshika took silver with 619.2, and
- Aadhya Agrawal completed the sweep with bronze on 615.9.
It was a performance that highlighted India’s growing stature in rifle shooting, with the top three shooters separated by fine margins but united by their ability to handle the pressure of international competition. The men’s prone event also added to India’s tally, with Deependra Singh Shekhawat winning silver with 617.9 and Rohit Kanyan taking bronze with 616.3. Their efforts ensured that India maintained its grip across both rifle categories.
Shotgun Success: Raiza Dhillon and Mansi Raghuvanshi on the Podium
India’s medal spree was not limited to rifle and pistol. In the Skeet Women Junior event, Raiza Dhillon captured the silver medal, while Mansi Raghuvanshi claimed bronze, marking a strong performance in the shotgun discipline. Their podium finishes underline the increasing versatility of India’s shooting programme, which is now producing medal contenders across all disciplines.
A Tournament of Rising Stars
The ISSF Junior World Cup in New Delhi was more than a medal haul it was a showcase of India’s shooting pipeline. Young athletes like Jonathan Antony, who displayed the composure of a seasoned champion, and Rashmika Sahgal, whose consistency continues to impress, are fast emerging as future stalwarts of Indian shooting. The clean sweeps in rifle prone events, combined with the dominance in air pistol team competitions, reflect a well-structured grassroots system that is nurturing talent across the country.
India’s performance also sends a strong message to the global shooting community. With Paris 2024 behind them and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, these junior athletes represent the next wave of Olympic hopefuls. Their ability to excel in high-pressure finals, maintain technical precision, and deliver consistent scores speaks volumes about the quality of coaching and support they are receiving at the junior level.
Medal Summary for India
- Men’s 10m Air Pistol: 🥇 Jonathan Gavin Antony
- Women’s 10m Air Pistol: 🥈 Rashmika Sahgal
- 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team: 🥇 Rashmika Sahgal & Kapil Kapil, 🥈 Vanshika Chaudhary & Jonathan Gavin Antony
- 50m Rifle Prone Women Junior: 🥇 Anushka Thokur, 🥈 Anshika, 🥉 Aadhya Agrawal
- 50m Rifle Prone Men Junior: 🥈 Deependra Singh Shekhawat, 🥉 Rohit Kanyan
- Skeet Women Junior: 🥈 Raiza Dhillon, 🥉 Mansi Raghuvanshi
As the competition progresses, the Indian contingent will look to build on this sensational start. The ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 has not only given India an early lead on the medal table but has also reinforced the nation’s reputation as a powerhouse in world shooting.
For these young athletes, the experience of competing and winning on home soil will serve as an invaluable stepping stone toward senior-level success.
