India experienced a competitive and encouraging day at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Granada, Spain, with Divya TS narrowly missing out on a medal in the women’s 25m pistol and debutant Gajanan Khandagale producing a strong performance to finish fifth in the men’s 10m air rifle event.
The performances reflected the depth and promise within the Indian shooting contingent, even as medals remained just out of reach.
Divya TS delivered one of the standout performances of the day, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m pistol final. Competing in her third individual World Cup final, Divya scored 28 in the final round, falling just short of a podium finish. Despite missing out on a medal, the result reaffirmed her consistency at the international level and marked another important step in her progression in elite competition.
Her compatriot Rhythm Sangwan, who also qualified for the final in the same event, finished seventh. Rhythm, who has been a regular presence in finals at major international events, was unable to find her rhythm in the latter stages of the final, but her qualification underlined India’s strength in the women’s pistol discipline.
One of the most encouraging performances came from Gajanan Khandagale, who made a memorable international debut in the men’s 10m air rifle. Gajanan qualified for the final in impressive fashion, finishing second in the qualification round with a score of 634.3. His score was just 0.2 points behind Sweden’s Victor Lindgren, the Paris Olympic silver medallist, highlighting the level at which the Indian shooter competed on debut.
In the final, Gajanan held his own against an experienced field before bowing out in fifth place with a score of 187.5. Considering the high-pressure environment of a World Cup final and the quality of competition, the result marked a promising start to his international career.
Other Indian shooters in the men’s 10m air rifle event also produced solid performances in qualification. Arshdeep Singh finished 21st with a score of 629.5, while Dhanush Srikanth placed 23rd with 629.2. Although they missed out on a place in the final, their performances reflected a competitive field where margins for qualification remain extremely tight.
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In the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event, all three Indian shooters successfully advanced from the elimination relays to the main qualification round. Experienced shooter Anjum Moudgil led the Indian effort with a strong score of 592, reaffirming her consistency and experience on the international stage. Ayushi Podder followed with 587 in the second relay, while Surabhi Bharadwaj Rapole recorded 582. Out of 75 competitors, 58 progressed to the main qualification round, and all three Indians ensured their place among them.
The day’s results, while not yielding medals, showcased India’s competitiveness across multiple disciplines. Divya TS’s near-miss in the 25m pistol and Gajanan Khandagale’s impressive debut performance in the 10m air rifle final were particularly notable. Both performances reflect the depth emerging within India’s shooting programme and provide optimism for upcoming competitions.
With further events still to come in Granada, India’s shooters will look to build on these performances and convert strong qualifications into podium finishes as the World Cup progresses.
