India endured a mixed day at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Granada on April 8, 2026, as the men’s 10m air pistol shooters narrowly missed out on qualification for the finals, while the women’s contingent began their 25m pistol campaign on a strong note.
Coming into the event with momentum especially after the gold medal-winning performance in the mixed team event—the Indian men’s pistol shooters were expected to challenge for final spots. However, despite competitive scores, they fell short in a tightly contested qualification round.
Mukesh leads but misses out
Fresh off his gold medal performance in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, Mukesh Nelavalli was India’s best performer in the men’s individual competition. He finished 14th in a field of 86 shooters, registering a score of 579-21x across six series.
Mukesh’s series of 94, 98, 98, 97, and 95 reflected consistency, but in an event where margins are extremely fine, it proved insufficient to secure a place in the final. The cutoff for qualification stood at 581-20x, achieved by Anton Aristarkhov, leaving Mukesh just two points short.
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It was a reminder of the unforgiving nature of elite shooting competitions, where even minor fluctuations can determine outcomes. For Mukesh, the performance still reinforces his growing stature, particularly given his ability to maintain high scoring across multiple events.
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Interestingly, the highest score among Indian shooters came from Aakash Bharadwaj, who shot 580-26x to finish 10th overall. However, he was competing under the Ranking Points Only (RPO) category, which meant his score did not count toward final qualification.
Aakash’s performance stands out not just for the score but for the quality of shooting—26 inner 10s indicate exceptional precision. While he could not progress to the finals due to his RPO status, the result highlights India’s depth in the discipline and the presence of multiple shooters capable of competing at a high level.
Ujjawal Malik finished 22nd with a score of 577-17x, showing patches of strong shooting but lacking the consistency required to challenge for the top eight. Parmod Kumar followed in 39th place with 574-16x.
Varun Tomar, also competing for ranking points, finished 63rd with a score of 569-13x. While these performances fell short of expectations, they provide valuable match exposure early in the international season.
At the top of the leaderboard, China’s Xie Yu dominated the qualification round with a score of 588-18x, underlining the level required to compete for medals at this stage.
Encouraging start for women in 25m pistol
While the men’s event ended in disappointment, India’s women shooters offered a positive counterpoint with a strong showing in the precision stage of the 25m pistol event. Rhythm Sangwan led the Indian charge, finishing the day with a score of 292-9x. Her series of 99, 96, and 97 placed her comfortably within the top eight, keeping her firmly in contention for a place in the finals.
Close behind was Divya TS, who scored 291-8x (96, 98, 97). Her performance mirrored Rhythm’s consistency and composure, indicating a strong platform heading into the rapid-fire stage.
Both shooters demonstrated control and rhythm in the precision phase—an essential foundation in the two-stage 25m pistol format. With the rapid stage often decisive, their current positions offer a realistic chance of progressing further.
Simranpreet struggles, others steady
Simranpreet Kaur Brar, another experienced name in the Indian lineup, had an off day, finishing with 282-5x. Her series of 93, 94, and 95 lacked the sharpness required at this level, leaving her with work to do in the next stage. Among the RPO shooters, Abhidnya Ashok Patel registered 286-8x, while Chinki Yadav scored 277-7x. While these scores did not place them in immediate contention, they contribute to India’s broader depth and experience pool.
The focus now shifts to the rapid stage of the 25m pistol women’s event, where both Rhythm Sangwan and Divya TS will aim to consolidate their positions and push for finals qualification. The rapid stage, with its emphasis on speed and accuracy under time pressure, often reshuffles standings, making it a critical phase.
Additionally, the upcoming schedule includes qualification and finals in the 10m air rifle men’s event, along with the elimination round of the 50m rifle 3 positions women’s competition.
For the Indian contingent, the day encapsulated the fine margins that define shooting at the highest level. The men’s team came close but fell short, while the women’s shooters positioned themselves strongly for the next phase. As the competition progresses, India will look to convert these promising starts into podium finishes, with the experience gained in Granada playing a key role in shaping performances for the rest of the season.
