As the 2025 international shotgun shooting season reaches its final bend, a 12-member Indian contingent is all set to compete at the fourth and concluding ISSF Shotgun World Cup Stage in Lonato, Italy.
This event, a marquee fixture on the global shooting calendar, will take place at the Trap Concaverde, a venue long regarded as one of the sport’s spiritual homes.
The competition will feature both Skeet and Trap disciplines, with six skeet shooters already having arrived in Lonato for acclimatization and early training. The Trap squad is scheduled to join the group on July 5, just ahead of their respective qualification rounds.
Focus on Skeet: Veteran Firepower and Rising Confidence
India’s skeet team, currently undergoing final preparations under the watchful eyes of coach Vikram Chopra, comprises some of the country’s most experienced names. The men’s team features Olympians Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Angad Vir Singh Bajwa, alongside Anantjeet Singh Naruka, who has emerged as a consistent performer on the international circuit in recent years.
On the women’s side, Maheshwari Chauhan and Raiza Dhillon both Olympians will join Ganemat Sekhon, one of India’s most accomplished skeet shooters in recent times. The team has been in Lonato since earlier this week, engaging in unofficial training as they acclimate to local conditions.
“We’ve settled in well,” said coach Chopra from Lonato. “The training has been positive and purposeful. We even had a small celebration for Anant’s birthday earlier this week, which really helped with team bonding. This is our final stop before the World Championships in Athens, so we’re focused on getting all elements aligned.”
The Skeet qualifiers begin on Sunday, July 6, with finals slated for Tuesday, July 8. With a strong blend of experience and form, the Indian squad will look to make a mark before heading into the more critical World Championships later this summer.
Trap Team Arrives With High Hopes
Joining the action shortly will be India’s Trap squad, led by Lakshay Sheoran, a former Asian Games silver medallist. He will be partnered by Zoravar Singh Sandhu, a seasoned campaigner known for his consistency, and Jaswinder Singh, one of the rising stars in the men’s circuit.
In the women’s Trap category, India will be represented by Neeru Dhanda, Preeti Rajak, and Pragati Dubey a mix of young promise and steady performers who’ve been quietly making their presence felt in national and international events.
Importantly, the World Cup in Lonato will also see the return of Mixed Team Trap, where India has tasted success in the recent past. It was in Nicosia earlier this year that India bagged its sole Shotgun World Cup medal of the season, in the same category. In Lonato, India will field two combinations: Lakshay Sheoran & Neeru Dhanda and Zoravar Singh Sandhu & Preeti Rajak both of whom will aim to replicate or better that success.
A World-Class Field Awaits
The stakes at Lonato are high, not just due to the tournament’s own prestige but also because it serves as the last World Cup stage before the World Championships in Athens. With qualification points, rankings, and momentum on the line, the pressure will be immense.
The sheer scale of participation reflects the competition’s elite status. This year, the Lonato World Cup will see 551 athletes from 73 countries, one of the largest turnouts for any shotgun event on the ISSF calendar. For India, competing against such a deep and experienced field will be both a challenge and an opportunity.
With the World Championships on the horizon, the Lonato stage provides the perfect proving ground for Indian shooters to fine-tune their rhythm and address any gaps in performance. For many, this event also serves as a vital checkpoint ahead of the 2026 Asian Games and the qualification cycle for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Coach Vikram Chopra’s focus has been on creating a competitive yet cohesive team environment. His emphasis on mental readiness, technical sharpness, and physical preparation has helped the squad remain focused in a packed calendar year.
Final Indian Squad for Lonato
Skeet – Men:
- Mairaj Ahmad Khan
- Angad Vir Singh Bajwa
- Anantjeet Singh Naruka
Skeet – Women:
- Maheshwari Chauhan
- Raiza Dhillon
- Ganemat Sekhon
Trap – Men:
- Lakshay Sheoran
- Zoravar Singh Sandhu
- Jaswinder Singh
Trap – Women:
- Neeru Dhanda
- Preeti Rajak
- Pragati Dubey
Mixed Trap Teams:
- Lakshay Sheoran & Neeru Dhanda
- Zoravar Singh Sandhu & Preeti Rajak
As Indian shooters prepare to take aim in one of the sport’s most iconic venues, the focus will be firmly on execution. With a talented group, solid preparation, and experience across the board, the Lonato World Cup could well offer Indian shotgun shooters a podium moment or at the very least, the right momentum heading into a crucial second half of the season.
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