The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2025 in Ningbo, China, has officially commenced, marking the fourth and final Rifle/Pistol stage of the year’s shooting calendar. India's formidable 24-member team, comprised primarily of shooters ranked fourth to sixth nationally, is poised to challenge some of the world’s finest marksmen, including reigning Olympic champions. The event spans six days, featuring intense competition across ten medal events.
Key Highlights: India’s Team and Competition Scale
The 24-member Indian contingent includes Olympians Ramita and Divyansh Singh Panwar, among others, who will participate in mixed team and individual events.
New pairings in the 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Pistol mixed team events inject fresh dynamics, with Umamahesh Maddenini, Meghana Sajjanar, Rhythm Sangwan, Nishant Rawat, Surbhi Rao, and Amit Sharma forming formidable pairs.
More than 320 shooters from 42 nations including heavyweights like China, Switzerland, South Korea, France, Italy, and Germany are contesting for ten coveted medal sets.
Olympic champions such as China’s Sheng Lihao, Switzerland’s Chiara Leone, and South Korea’s Oh Yejin and Yang Jiin add elite competition caliber.
Event Outlook and Strategic Importance
The Ningbo World Cup stage is a major confidence-building platform ahead of the World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, this November.
Top performers will secure coveted slots in the season-ending ISSF World Cup Final scheduled in Doha in December.
India’s shooters leverage the opportunity to uphold their strong medal-winning momentum from earlier World Cup legs in Buenos Aires, Lima, and Munich.
Event Schedule and Broadcast
Competition runs from September 9 to 14, 2025, with finals beginning with 10m Air Pistol and Air Rifle mixed teams.
Indian fans can follow live streaming of the finals on Olympics.com, marking enhanced accessibility to international shooting sport.
Key final events include men’s and women’s pistol and rifle competitions across varied distances and formats.
India’s Aspirations and Shooter Profiles
Leading the campaign is Swapnil Kusale, who bagged bronze in 50m Rifle 3 Positions at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Other notable shooters include Rhythm Sangwan, a rising talent in pistol events, and veteran pairs strengthening mixed team categories.
The team reflects India’s broad-based shooting strength, blending youth with experience and heralding a new generation of marksmanship.
Global Stage and Competitive Context
The presence of top shooters from traditional shooting powerhouses intensifies competition, positioning Ningbo as a high-stakes battleground for Olympic and World Championship hopefuls.
Emerging nations like Japan, Australia, Iran, and Vietnam also field competitive squads, reflecting the global expansion and rising standards of the sport.
Conclusion
As India’s shooting team stands ready in Ningbo, the upcoming six days promise to be a showcase of precision, composure, and competitive spirit. With new team combinations, young talent, and a hunger to cement global shooting credentials, India aims to excel amidst fierce international rivalry and build momentum for forthcoming marquee events on the world stage.
Sources: Telangana Today, The Tribune India, Olympics.com, ANI, The Bridge
