DOHA — The Indian shooting contingent has once again asserted its dominance on the global stage, delivering a masterclass in precision and composure at the ISSF World Championships 2026. As the tournament reaches its fever pitch in Doha, the national anthem has rung out repeatedly, signaling a new golden era for Indian marksmanship that shows no signs of slowing down.
Dominance in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions
The men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event served as the latest battleground for Indian supremacy. Niraj Kumar, carrying the momentum of his previous international successes, put on a clinic during the qualification round. Displaying nerves of steel, Kumar topped the leaderboard with an exceptional score of 591-29x. Joining him in the final is the formidable Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, who navigated the high-pressure environment with characteristic tactical intelligence to secure fourth place with a score of 586-27x.
While the individual final, scheduled for November 11, promises to be a nail-biter, the trio of Kumar, Tomar, and teammate Akhil Sheoran already secured a significant milestone in the team event. Together, they combined for a score of 1751-91x to claim a hard-fought bronze medal. In an event defined by razor-thin margins, the Indian squad finished just behind gold-medalists Czechia (1754-92x) and silver-medalists Norway (1752-81x), once again proving that India is a premier force in rifle disciplines.
Pistol Queens Shine Bright
If the rifle event highlighted the men’s consistency, the women’s 25m pistol team event showcased the depth and brilliance of India’s female shooters. The formidable trio of Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Divya Thadigol Subbaraju put on a display of clinical efficiency that left their international rivals trailing in their wake.
The Indian women recorded a combined score of 1761-68x, comfortably outpacing the Republic of Korea, who took silver with 1748-66x, and Vietnam, which claimed bronze with 1745-54x. Esha Singh led the charge individually with an elite score of 590-25x, supported brilliantly by Manu Bhaker (587-24x) and Divya Thadigol Subbaraju (584-19x). While both Esha and Manu successfully navigated their way into the individual final, the competition proved fierce; Manu finished a respectable fourth with 27 hits, while Esha claimed the eighth position. Despite narrowly missing the individual podium, their collective gold medal remains one of the highlights of India’s campaign in Doha.
A Growing Medal Tally
The success of the 50m and 25m squads is merely the tip of the iceberg for what has been an extraordinary championship for India. The sheer variety of events in which India has medaled underscores a countrywide evolution in shooting infrastructure and coaching.
The tally is bolstered by Niveditha Veloor Nair’s bronze in the women’s 25m standard pistol and Jaypal Malviya’s silver in the men’s 10m air pistol. The men’s 50m pistol team—consisting of stalwarts Ravinder Singh, Saurabh Chaudhary, and Amanpreet Singh—clinched a brilliant gold medal, with Ravinder Singh doubling his joy by securing individual silver in that same discipline. Furthermore, the women’s 10m air rifle team, represented by Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar, and Shambhavi Kshirsagar, added a prestigious silver to the nation’s total count.
Expectations and the Path Forward
The atmosphere surrounding the team is one of quiet confidence. For shooters like Niraj Kumar, who has seen his stock rise meteorically over the past year, the support from home has been pivotal. His wife, reflecting on his recent successes, captured the sentiment of the nation: “Expectations are higher now.” It is a sentiment that the Indian shooters seem to thrive upon rather than buckle under.
As the Indian camp looks ahead to the final day of competition, all eyes will remain on the range for the conclusion of the 50m Rifle 3 Positions individual event. Whether or not they walk away with individual gold, the message from Doha is clear: India has transitioned from being a challenger to being a benchmark setter in international shooting. The depth of talent currently representing the nation suggests that this successful run at the 2026 ISSF World Championships is just the beginning of a sustained period of global competitiveness for the Indian squad.
With the final showdowns looming, the world is watching, and the Indian shooters appear ready to meet the moment with the same steady hands and unwavering focus that have defined their performance throughout this historic week.
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