Trap and Skeet shooters gear up for July challenge as team eyes redemption at ISSF Shotgun World Cup
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has announced the list of shooters selected to represent the country at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy, scheduled to be held from 4th to 14th July 2025. The Indian contingent will field athletes in trap, skeet, and mixed team events, hoping to reverse a worrying trend of underwhelming performances in recent editions.
India’s shotgun squad has endured a difficult season so far. Across the last three ISSF World Cups, they’ve returned with just one bronze medal, earned in the trap mixed team event at the Cyprus World Cup. With the Olympic cycle intensifying, the Lonato event presents a crucial opportunity for Indian shooters to regain form and confidence on the global stage.
The Squad: India’s Representatives at Lonato
Trap Men
- Lakshay
- Zoravar Singh Sandhu
- Jaswinder Singh
Trap Women
- Neeru
- Preeti Rajak
- Pragati Dubey
Skeet Men
- Bhavtegh Singh Gill
- Mairaj Ahmad Khan
- Anantjeet Singh Naruka
Skeet Women
- Maheshwari Chauhan
- Raiza Dhillon
- Ganemat Sekhon
Mixed Team (Trap)
- Lakshay & Neeru
- Zoravar Singh Sandhu & Preeti Rajak
The Pressure to Perform
Despite sending strong squads to previous World Cups in Rabat, Doha, and Cyprus, India’s shotgun shooters have failed to make a consistent impact on the medal tally. The only podium finish came in Cyprus, courtesy of the trap mixed team, where the combination of Zoravar and Preeti had clicked briefly. However, both in individual trap and skeet, Indian athletes have struggled to reach finals let alone challenge for medals.
The lack of top-tier finishes has sparked concerns, particularly given the upcoming ISSF World Championships and the roadmap to Los Angeles 2028, where India is hoping for a resurgence in shooting after the Tokyo 2020 disappointment.
Athletes to Watch
Lakshay, who rose to prominence with his silver at the 2018 Asian Games, leads the charge in men’s trap. His presence, along with experienced hand Zoravar Singh Sandhu, brings a sense of stability to the team. Jaswinder Singh, the young gun, will aim to make his mark in a competitive field.
In women’s trap, Neeru and Preeti Rajak are the mainstays. Preeti, especially, will be eager to build on her recent mixed trap bronze and convert her growing international experience into individual success.
Mairaj Ahmad Khan, India’s most seasoned skeet shooter and a double Olympian, returns to the lineup after a brief injury layoff. He’ll be joined by Anantjeet Singh Naruka, who clinched silver at the 2023 Asian Games, and Bhavtegh Gill, a rising star with strong junior credentials.
On the women’s skeet side, all eyes will be on Ganemat Sekhon, India’s first-ever ISSF World Cup medalist in women’s skeet. Ganemat has shown she can hold her own against world-class fields, and along with Raiza Dhillon and Maheshwari Chauhan, forms a potent unit capable of springing surprises.
The Lonato Test: What Lies Ahead
Lonato, a well-known shooting destination in Italy, often attracts the world’s top shotgun shooters, making this a stiff test for India’s contingent. With many nations using this event to test Olympic hopefuls and World Championship line-ups, the pressure will be high.
For India, the target is not just medals — it’s about building confidence, refining combinations, and showing consistency in qualification rounds and finals. The mixed team combinations, especially, will be under the spotlight after showing promise in Cyprus.
The coaching staff and NRAI selectors will also be watching closely, as performances here could determine selections for the upcoming Asian Championships and World Championship, both of which are critical for earning quota places and rankings points.
Key Takeaways: India’s Path Forward
- Medal Drought: Just one bronze in the last three WCs — the team needs a breakthrough.
- Event Spread: Full strength in all trap and skeet events, with two mixed trap pairs.
- Watchlist: Ganemat, Anantjeet, and Preeti carry medal potential with past form.
- Newcomers & Experience: Blend of youth (Jaswinder, Bhavtegh) and experience (Mairaj, Lakshay).
With only weeks to go, the Indian shooters will be preparing with intensity, knowing that the window to impress before the World Championship season is narrowing. If India is to reclaim its footing in shotgun events globally, Lonato could be a turning point — or yet another missed opportunity.
The nation’s shooting fans will hope it’s the former.
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