Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh Lead Strong Indian Challenge at Prestigious ISSF Munich World Cup 2026
Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh Lead Strong Indian Challenge at Prestigious ISSF Munich World Cup 2026
Indian shooting will once again step onto one of the sport’s grandest stages as a 22-member squad prepares to compete at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol Munich 2026, scheduled from May 24 to 31 in Germany. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious annual events in international shooting, the Munich World Cup traditionally attracts the very best rifle and pistol shooters from across the globe. This year will be no different, with a staggering 696 athletes from 80 countries set to compete at the iconic Olympiaschießanlage.
For India, the tournament represents a major test ahead of an important international season that includes the Shooting World Championships and several multi-sport events later in the year. Unlike the Granada World Cup in April, where India fielded shooters ranked between third and sixth domestically, Munich will see the country’s top-ranked rifle and pistol athletes competing abroad together for the first time this season.
Leading the Indian contingent are double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and rising pistol star Esha Singh. Both shooters will compete in two individual pistol events, underlining their importance to India’s medal ambitions. Manu will additionally feature in the mixed team pistol event, adding further responsibility to an already packed schedule.
The women’s pistol events are expected to draw significant attention. Manu Bhaker remains one of the biggest names in world shooting despite still being in the early years of her career. Her ability to consistently deliver under pressure at major events has made her one of India’s most dependable shooters on the international circuit. Alongside her, Esha Singh continues to establish herself as one of the brightest young talents in global pistol shooting. The teenager has already won medals at senior international events and is viewed as a crucial part of India’s long-term Olympic project. Munich now offers another important opportunity for her to test herself against elite opposition.
The first competitive shots of the tournament will be fired on May 26, with the women’s 25m pistol precision stage, men’s 10m air pistol qualification, and women’s 50m rifle 3 positions elimination round all beginning simultaneously. The men’s and women’s 10m air rifle events will also commence on the opening day, which will conclude with finals in the men’s air pistol and men’s air rifle competitions.
India enters Munich with a healthy blend of experience and emerging talent.
Veteran pistol shooter Rahi Sarnobat will be the senior-most athlete in the Indian team. The former Asian Games champion and two-time Olympian remains one of the most respected names in Indian shooting. Her experience in handling pressure at elite international competitions could prove valuable for the younger members of the squad. The team also includes several established international performers who have delivered consistently over recent years. Former world champion Rudrankksh Patil returns in the rifle events alongside reigning Munich mixed team champion Arjun Babuta. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, another world championship medallist, strengthens India’s rifle unit further.
In pistol shooting, reigning world champion Samrat Rana and world championship silver medallist Anish Bhanwala add proven international pedigree to the squad. Elavenil Valarivan and Suruchi Singh also enter the competition carrying strong momentum after impressive recent performances.
While the experienced names attract attention, the emergence of young debutants has added another layer of excitement to the Indian challenge.
Among the newcomers, Sakshi Padekar stands out as one of the most promising rifle shooters in the country. The 22-year-old from Maharashtra has consistently produced elite qualification scores over the past year, including multiple scores above 632 and a remarkable 634. Earlier this season, she defeated Elavenil Valarivan during domestic trials while also breaking the national finals record in women’s 10m air rifle.
Another exciting addition is 18-year-old Suraj Sharma, the youngest Indian debutant in Munich. The son of a BSF martyr and a product of the M.P. Shooting Academy, Suraj has rapidly climbed through the junior ranks. Already a junior world champion in standard pistol and reigning Asian champion in 25m pistol, he arrives in Munich carrying significant expectations. Ajendra Singh Chauhan’s journey into the national squad also reflects the growing depth in Indian shooting. The 23-year-old Army marksman earned selection after strong domestic performances, including an impressive 588 during trials earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Udhayveer Sidhu’s inclusion adds an emotional storyline to the squad. The twin brother of Olympian Vijayveer Sidhu, Udhayveer will make his Olympic event debut for India in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol after edging out his brother during the selection trials with a score of 585.
The scale of the challenge in Munich, however, will be enormous.
Olympic champions, world champions, and seasoned international medal winners from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas are all expected to compete. For many athletes, Munich serves as a benchmark event to test not only form and technique but also equipment, ammunition, and mental preparation ahead of the biggest competitions of the year. For India, the event is about much more than medals alone.
It is an opportunity to measure the country’s current standing against the world’s elite, evaluate younger shooters under pressure, and continue building momentum towards future Olympic cycles. Over the past decade, India has emerged as one of the strongest shooting nations globally, and Munich will once again provide a platform to reinforce that reputation.
With experienced stars, fearless youngsters, and one of the deepest squads India has fielded this year, the stage is now set for another fascinating chapter in Indian shooting at the iconic Munich World Cup.
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