The ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 in Suhl concluded, with India emerging as the undisputed champion on the medals table.
The young Indian contingent showcased remarkable composure, consistency and skill, finishing with an impressive 11 medals- 3 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze, comfortably outpacing all other nations.
China with 4 medals, and Italy with 8, followed in the second and third positions respectively.
This edition of the World Cup has not only reinforced India’s growing stature in international shooting but also introduced a fresh wave of talent ready to take on the senior stage. With standout performances across rifle, pistol, and shotgun categories, these young athletes have made their presence known on the global map.
Let’s take a closer look at India’s medal winners and how each of them performed:
Double delight in 10m Air Rifle as Shambhavi and Ojasvi power India to 1-2 finish. It was a masterclass in precision and consistency as Shambhavi Kshirsagar and Ojasvi Thakur delivered a spectacular performance in the 10m Air Rifle Junior Women’s category, securing gold and silver respectively.
Shambhavi claimed the top spot with a total score of 253.0, closely followed by Ojasvi, who shot 251.8. Their consistency was unmatched, with neither shooter scoring below 10 in any series.
The dominance began right from the qualification round, where the duo led the field, separated by just 0.1 points, setting the tone for what was to come. Carrying that momentum into the final, they showcased nerves of steel and exceptional skill to take home the top honours, rightfully earning a well-deserved 1-2 finish.
Kanak and Tejaswini shine in women’s pistol events
In the women’s pistol category, Kanak and Tejaswini delivered gold medal performances in the 10m Air Pistol and 25m Air Pistol events respectively. Kanak showcased grit and mental strength in the 10m Air Pistol final. Despite a shaky start with a few 9-point shots, she regained her rhythm and composure just in time.
Her consistency in the later stages helped her finish with an impressive 239.0, edging past Moldova’s Anna Dulce by 1.7 points to clinch the gold. In the 25m Pistol final, Tejaswini took charge right from the beginning. Calm under pressure, she held her lead during the crucial elimination stages and never looked back. With a final tally of 31 points, two points clear of the runner-up, Tejaswini secured another gold for India in dominant fashion.
Adriyan Karmakar’s stellar show in Suhl with double podium finish
Adriyan Karmakar emerged as one of India’s standout performers at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, clinching two individual medals- a silver in the 50m Rifle Prone Men’s event and a bronze in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions final. In the 50m Prone event, Adriyan delivered a stellar performance, scoring a total of 626.7, narrowly missing out on the gold by just 0.3 points to Sweden’s Jesper Johansson.
His precision and calm under pressure stood out, reinforcing his reputation as one of India’s top rifle prospects.The 50m 3 Positions final brought more drama and determination. Adriyan faced stiff competition from none other than Jesper Johansson again.
The duel between the two intensified in the standing elimination stage, where Adriyan’s brilliant 10.8 and 10.6 shots pushed him ahead, compared to Jesper’s 9.8 and 10.1. That clutch shooting secured bronze for the Indian shooter in a tightly contested final.
Raiza Dhillon Hits the Mark Again, While India Seals Double Podium in 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
India’s only shotgun medallist at this edition of the Junior World Cup, Raiza Dhillon, lived up to the expectations and delivered a gritty performance to clinch silver in women’s skeet. In a tightly contested final, Raiza held her nerve and precision, hitting 51 targets, proving once again why she’s considered one of India’s most reliable names in junior shotgun shooting.
Meanwhile, in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event, India doubled the celebrations with a 2-3 finish on the podium. The dynamic pair of Khyaty Chaudhary and Naraen Pranav Vanitha Suresh gave fans a thrilling showdown in the gold medal match against China. In a match that went down to the wire, the Indian duo narrowly missed out on gold, settling for silver with a scoreline of 14-16.
The confident pairing of Shambhavi Kshirsagar Shravan and Himanshu showed complete dominance in the bronze medal match. The duo outperformed their American opponents in style, clinching the bronze with a commanding 17-9 victory.
Pranav and Mukesh Bring the Drama, Clinch Individual Bronze Medals Naraen Pranav Vanitha Suresh with a confident performance in the 10m Air Rifle Men’s final, clinched a well-deserved bronze medal in addition to his mixed team medal.
In the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, Mukesh Nelavalli brought the drama and delivered one of the most nail-biting moments of the tournament. Tied at 19 shots with Hungary’s Mate during the fourth position elimination stage, Mukesh held his nerve in a tense shootoff, coming out on top to stay in medal contention. He carried that momentum forward to claim the bronze medal, showcasing both nerves of steel and tremendous grit.
The shooting fans have a lot to look forward to, with next set of action unfolding at ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol from 8th June- 15th June at Munich, Germany and ISSF World Cup Shotgun from 4th July-14th July at Lonato del Garda, Italy.
