The 2026 international shooting season gets underway with the ISSF World Cup in Tangier, and India’s skeet shooters find themselves stepping into one of the most competitive fields in recent memory.
Set against the backdrop of the Club Tangérois de Tir, the opening leg of the World Cup brings together Olympic champions, world medallists, seasoned finalists, and rising prospects making it an early-season benchmark for global shotgun shooting.
For India, the tournament represents more than just another international outing. It is a crucial opportunity to test depth, assess combinations, and build momentum in a year that will gradually shape qualification pathways for future global events, including the Olympic cycle.
Format and schedule: A test of consistency
The skeet competition begins on March 27, with both men and women shooting 75 targets on the opening day. The remaining 50 targets of qualification, followed by the finals, will take place on March 28.
The schedule is tightly packed and demanding. Qualification rounds begin at 13:30 IST (9:00 AM local time), while the finals are slated for Sunday evening, with the women’s final at 20:30 IST and the men’s final at 22:00 IST. Over the course of two days, shooters must maintain technical precision, rhythm, and mental sharpness across 125 targets where even a single miss can prove decisive.
The women’s competition features a formidable lineup led by reigning Olympic champion Francisca Crovetto Chadid of Chile, who returns to international competition after maternity leave. Her presence alone elevates the standard, but the field extends far beyond a single headline name.
Reigning world champion Samantha Simonton of the United States, Italy’s Diana Bacosi a double Olympic and world champion along with former world champion Dania Jo Vizzi and Kazakhstan’s Assem Orynbay, ensure that the competition will be defined by both depth and quality.
Against this backdrop, India fields a blend of experience and youth. Olympian Maheshwari Chauhan leads the contingent, bringing with her exposure at the highest level and the ability to handle pressure situations. She is joined by the Rathore sisters Darshana and Yashasvi who represent the emerging generation of Indian shotgun shooting.
Yashasvi, in particular, enters the competition with encouraging credentials. A silver medallist in the junior category at the Asian Championships in Shymkent and a strong performer at the national level, she has shown steady progression and now faces the challenge of translating that form onto the senior international stage.
Also in action are Areeba Khan and Mansi Raghuwanshi, competing for ranking points. While they are not in medal contention, their participation adds valuable exposure and contributes to India’s broader talent pipeline.
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The men’s field is equally competitive, with 82 shooters in contention. Denmark’s Emil Kjeldgaard Petersen, a World Championship bronze medallist, headlines the list, alongside last season’s World Cup Final winner Christian Elliott of the USA.
The European contingent is particularly strong, with Italy’s Gabriele Rossetti a double Olympic champion and Denmark’s Jesper Hansen, the Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, adding depth to the field. Qatar’s Masoud Saleh Al-Athba, a former world champion and Asian Games gold medallist, further reinforces the high standard.
An interesting subplot in the competition is the presence of Angad Vir Singh Bajwa, now representing Canada after previously competing for India. His transition adds a layer of familiarity and intrigue to the field.
For India, the men’s squad reflects a mix of returning experience and new beginnings. Former Asian champion Man Singh makes a notable comeback to the national setup after a three-year absence. His return brings valuable experience, particularly in handling high-pressure qualification rounds. Parampal Singh Guron, another experienced shooter, returns to international competition after last representing India in 2022. Together, they form the experienced core of the team.
Completing the trio is Jyotiraditya Singh Sisodiya, who will be making his senior international debut. The young shooter comes in with a junior bronze medal from the Asian Championships and represents the next phase of India’s skeet program. His performance will be closely watched, not necessarily for immediate results, but for indicators of composure and adaptability at the senior level.
Sukhbir Singh Harika and Harmehar Singh Lally, the junior national champion, will also compete for ranking points, gaining exposure against a world-class field.
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The Tangier World Cup serves as an early indicator of form, but more importantly, it provides athletes with a competitive reference point. With Olympic champions, world medallists, and experienced finalists in action, the margins for error are minimal.
For Indian shooters, the event offers three key takeaways. First, it provides returning athletes like Man Singh and Parampal Singh with an opportunity to re-establish themselves at the international level. Second, it allows emerging shooters like Jyotiraditya and Yashasvi to transition into senior competition. Third, it offers the coaching staff critical data on performance trends, consistency, and adaptability under pressure.
Building towards a larger goal
While medals will always be the immediate objective, the larger focus remains long-term progression. The ISSF World Cup circuit is not just about podium finishes it is about building a competitive ecosystem, identifying depth, and ensuring continuity.
India’s shotgun shooting program has seen phases of success in the past, but consistency at the highest level has remained a challenge. Events like Tangier are therefore essential in bridging that gap, providing athletes with repeated exposure to elite competition.
As the first targets are called on March 27, the spotlight will be firmly on Tangier. For India’s skeet shooters, it marks the beginning of another demanding season one that will test not just skill, but also resilience, adaptability, and the ability to compete against the very best in the world.
