Ganemat Sekhon Leads Indian Charge on Day One at ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Almaty

India’s skeet shooters made a steady start at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun Almaty 2026, with Ganemat Sekhon emerging as the best-placed Indian after the opening day of qualification at the Asanov Shooting Club in Kazakhstan.

Sekhon shot an impressive 70 out of 75 targets across three rounds, finishing just one point outside the provisional top eight the cut-off zone for qualification into the finals. With 50 targets still to be shot on the second day, the Chandigarh-based shooter remains firmly in contention for a place in the medal round. Her performance carries added significance given her past success at the same venue, where she had clinched a silver medal three years ago. That familiarity with conditions could prove crucial as the competition enters its decisive phase.

In skeet shooting, consistency across rounds is often the defining factor, and Sekhon’s series reflected just that. Staying within striking distance of the top group keeps her in a strong position heading into Day Two, where even a small improvement could push her into the finals.

In the men’s skeet event, India’s experienced shooters produced mixed results.

Mairaj Ahmad Khan, one of India’s most seasoned names in shotgun shooting, began his campaign in perfect fashion with a flawless 25 in the opening round. However, he followed it up with scores of 23 and 23 in the next two series, finishing the day with a total of 71. Despite the strong aggregate, the depth of the field meant Khan was placed 27th at the end of Day One, highlighting the extremely competitive nature of the event where even minor drops in accuracy can significantly impact standings.

Fellow Olympian Anantjeet Singh Naruka also started strongly, shooting a perfect 25 in his first round. However, his scores dipped to 23 and 21 in the subsequent series, bringing his total to 69 after 75 targets.

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National champion Gurjoat Singh Khangura delivered a more balanced performance, recording series of 22, 24 and 24 to finish with a total of 70. His consistency keeps him within reach of the leading pack, though a near-perfect Day Two will likely be required to break into the top eight. Among those competing for ranking points, Bhavtegh Singh Gill shot 71 (24, 24, 23), while Abhay Singh Sekhon registered 70 (23, 24, 23), both showing solid control across their rounds.

In the women’s field, Olympian Raiza Dhillon ended Day One with a total of 69, after scoring 22, 23 and 24 in her three rounds. While not as high as Sekhon’s tally, Dhillon remains within a competitive range and will look to build momentum on the second day.

Parinaaz Dhaliwal, meanwhile, shot 66 (22, 21, 23), a performance that leaves her with work to do if she is to climb up the standings. Among the ranking points-only shooters, Vanshika Tiwari scored 66 (24, 21, 21), while Rashmmi Rathore finished with 62 (20, 21, 21). The opening day results underline the fine margins that define elite-level skeet shooting.

With qualification spread across 125 targets, even a handful of missed shots can separate finalists from the rest of the field. For Indian shooters, the challenge now lies in maintaining composure and delivering near-perfect rounds on Day Two. This stage in Almaty marks India’s second outing in the shotgun World Cup circuit this season, following the opening leg in Tangier, Morocco, where the team returned without a medal. That context adds further importance to the current competition, as shooters aim to convert promising performances into podium finishes.

For Ganemat Sekhon in particular, the opportunity is clear.

Positioned just outside the qualification cut after 75 targets, she has placed herself in contention through controlled and consistent shooting. The next 50 targets will determine whether she can convert that position into a finals appearance and potentially, a medal challenge. For the rest of the Indian contingent, the path is more demanding but not impossible.

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, and a strong second day can still reshape standings significantly. However, it will require sharper execution, especially in pressure situations where each shot carries added weight.

As the competition moves into its final qualification phase, India’s shooters will be aiming not just for improvement, but for precision under pressure the defining trait of success at this level.