Manu Bhaker, Suruchi Singh and more: India sends a strong contingent for ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol 2025

The ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol is universally recognized as one of the most prestigious and challenging competitions in the shooting sports calendar, serving as a critical benchmark for global excellence. The 2025 edition is set to bring together an elite field of athletes at the state-of-the-art Egypt International Olympic City in Cairo.

The scale of the event is immense, featuring approximately 720 athletes representing 72 national federations from around the globe, all competing for top honors across various rifle and pistol disciplines.

The championship officially begins on a Thursday and promises over a week of intense competition, culminating on November 17. For India, this event is not merely a participation opportunity but a major platform to consolidate its rising status as a shooting powerhouse, demonstrating the significant investment and focus the nation has placed on developing world-class marksmanship talent.

India’s substantial 40-member shooting contingent arrives in Cairo supported by exceptional performances throughout the current season. The experience gained and the medals secured against top international competitors have sharpened the skills of the Indian shooters, setting the stage for a highly anticipated campaign in Egypt as they seek to convert their World Cup form into World Championship glory.

India’s Star-Studded 40-Member Contingent for ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol 2025

The Indian squad is a careful blend of seasoned Olympians, established world champions, and emerging stars who are expected to contend strongly for medals across both the rifle and pistol categories. In the pistol events, the challenge is spearheaded by the celebrated two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, whose recent form includes a valuable silver medal in Lima and three bronze medals secured at the Asian Shooting Championship 2025.

She is complemented by a powerful line-up that includes Esha Singh, a consistent performer, and the sensational Suruchi Singh, who has demonstrated extraordinary form in the women's 10m air pistol event by clinching three consecutive gold medals on the World Cup circuit earlier this year. Adding further experience to the team is Rahi Sarnobat, a stalwart who will be competing in the women's 25m pistol event.

On the men's side of the pistol competition, Sharvan Kumar, Varun Tomar, and Samrat Rana form a dynamic trio ready to take on the 10m air pistol challenge, while the experienced Anish Bhanwala, alongside Adarsh Singh and Sameer, will focus on the men's 25m rapid fire pistol.

The rifle disciplines are equally well-represented, led by former world champion Rudrankksh Patil, who remains a top contender in his preferred 10m air rifle event, having already secured a gold medal at the Buenos Aires World Cup earlier in the season.

Another key figure is the Olympic medallist Swapnil Kusale, who is slated to be the spearhead of India's campaign in the challenging 50m rifle 3 positions event. The men’s rifle team boasts significant depth with the inclusion of Arjun Babuta, who competes alongside Rudrankksh in the 10m air rifle, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, a formidable presence in the 50m rifle 3 positions, where he is joined by Niraj Kumar.

In the women’s rifle events, the squad benefits immensely from the experience of two-time Olympian Elavenil Valarivan in the 10m air rifle, a discipline where she is partnered by Shreya Agrawal and Meghana Sajjanar. Furthermore, Sift Kaur Samra will be a vital asset in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions, alongside Anjum Moudgil and Ashi Chouksey. This collective strength and experience across both rifle and pistol disciplines underline India's ambition to achieve its most successful outing yet at the ISSF World Championship.

Edited by Sooryanarayanan Sesha