NEW DELHI: The Indian shooting contingent returned home with pride and glory after an outstanding performance at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Munich, clinching four medals — two gold and two bronze — and securing an impressive third-place finish in the overall medal standings, behind only China and Norway.
The 36-member Indian team displayed extraordinary consistency and composure throughout the tournament, continuing their golden run from previous ISSF events held in Buenos Aires and Lima earlier this year.
Elavenil Valarivan Opens Medal Tally with Bronze
India’s medal charge began with Elavenil Valarivan, a two-time Olympian and one of the country’s most accomplished rifle shooters. Competing in the women’s 10m air rifle, the 25-year-old clinched bronze with a final score of 231.2. She had earlier set a new national record in the qualification round with a spectacular 635.9, reinforcing her status as one of India’s premier shooting talents.
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Sift Kaur Samra Adds Second Bronze in 50m Rifle 3P
India’s second bronze came through Sift Kaur Samra in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event. The 23-year-old, who still holds the world record in this discipline (set at the 2022 Asian Games with a score of 469.6), delivered a strong performance in the final to register a score of 453.1. This was her second ISSF medal of the year, following her gold medal victory in Buenos Aires earlier in 2025.
Suruchi Singh Continues Golden Streak in Air Pistol
The breakout star of the tournament was undoubtedly 19-year-old Suruchi Singh, who bagged gold in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Displaying incredible poise under pressure, she shot a total of 241.9 in the final to claim the top podium position. This win marks Suruchi’s third consecutive ISSF World Cup gold, having previously won gold in Buenos Aires and Lima, cementing her dominance in the discipline.
“It feels surreal to win my third consecutive ISSF World Cup gold,” Suruchi said after her win. “The competition here in Munich was intense, but I focused on my technique and stayed calm. I’m incredibly grateful for the support from my coaches and teammates. I’m looking forward to winning more such medals and making my country proud.”
Mixed Team Rifle Pair Claims Second Gold
India’s second gold of the tournament came in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, where the dynamic duo of Arjun Singh Babuta and Arya Borse delivered a commanding victory. They beat China’s Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao with a score of 17-7 in the final. While the Chinese pair set a new qualification world record with 635.9, the Indian pair wasn’t far behind, scoring 635.2 to qualify strongly for the final and eventually outshooting their top-ranked rivals.
NRAI President Applauds the Team
Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), congratulated the entire contingent on their medal-winning performance and reiterated the federation’s commitment to supporting India’s shooting talent.
“We are incredibly proud of our shooters’ remarkable achievements at the ISSF World Cup in Munich,” Singh said. “Their dedication, hard work, and consistent performances continue to bring laurels to the nation. We remain committed to supporting our athletes as they strive for even greater heights.”
He also expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Shooting League of India, scheduled to begin later this year.
“With our shooters making the nation proud around the world, we are even more excited to watch them in action on home soil when the inaugural Shooting League of India kicks off. It will be a great opportunity to showcase Indian shooting talent alongside global stars.”
India’s Dominance Across the 2025 ISSF Circuit
The Indian team’s showing in Munich follows impressive performances in the earlier legs of the 2025 ISSF World Cup. India secured eight medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) in Buenos Aires, and seven medals (2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) in Lima. With consistent podium finishes, India has emerged as a serious contender on the global shooting stage this year.
The next stop for the Indian team will be Ningbo, China, in September 2025, as they look to continue their medal-winning streak in the fourth leg of the ISSF World Cup.
Medal Summary – India at ISSF World Cup Munich 2025:
- 🥇 Suruchi Singh – Women’s 10m Air Pistol
- 🥇 Arjun Singh Babuta & Arya Borse – 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
- 🥉 Elavenil Valarivan – Women’s 10m Air Rifle
- 🥉 Sift Kaur Samra – Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
Final Standings:
- China
- Norway
- India
