Rhythm Sangwan, the rising star of Indian shooting, will be the sole Indian competitor in two events at the season-ending ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi. The 20-year-old will participate in both the women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol competitions.
Sangwan’s selection comes after double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker opted for a three-month break following her exploits in Paris. Bhaker made history by winning bronze medals in the women’s 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event in Paris.
The Indian squad for the ISSF World Cup Final features nine members from the Paris Olympics team, which returned with three bronze medals. A total of 11 Indian Olympians will compete for the title of the best shooter of the year along with the world’s best in 12 individual Olympic events.
The 23-member Indian squad includes four shooters who were selected directly by the ISSF: Divyansh Singh Panwar (men’s 10m air rifle), Sonam Uttam Maskar (women’s 10m air rifle), Rhythm Sangwan (women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol), and Ganemat Sekhon (women’s skeet). The rest of the members were selected based on their Olympic trials rankings.
Seasoned shooters and Olympians Mairaj Ahmed Khan (men’s skeet) and Chain Singh (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions) have returned to the team. Other Paris Olympians in the squad include Arjun Babuta (men’s 10m air rifle), Arjun Singh Cheema (men’s 10m air pistol), Anish and Vijayveer Sidhu (men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol), Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari (women’s trap), Maheshwari Chauhan (women’s skeet), and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka (men’s skeet).
The ISSF World Cup Final will be held from October 13 to 18 at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. The Indian shooters will look to carry on the momentum from their success in Paris and perform strongly on home soil.
