Vivaan Kapoor, a 22-year-old shooting prodigy, has etched his name in the annals of Indian shooting history by bagging a silver medal in the men’s trap final at the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi. The young gun, known for his passion for speed and luxury cars, has proven that his true calling lies in the precision and focus required in the shooting range.
Kapoor’s triumph was a testament to his unwavering determination and the guidance of his mentor, six-time World Championships medalist Khaled Al-Mudhaf. With 44 out of 50 hits, Kapoor narrowly missed the gold medal, which went to China’s Qi Ying. Turkey’s Tolga Tuncer claimed the bronze.
This victory marks Kapoor’s first individual medal at the World Cup level, adding to his three silver medals in team competitions in 2022. “It feels incredible to win a medal in such a competitive field,” Kapoor said. “I was determined to stay focused and not let the scoreboard affect me.”
Kapoor’s journey to the podium began with a third-place finish in the qualifying round. His compatriot, Bhowneesh Mendiratta, narrowly missed the cut, finishing eighth.
Earlier in the day, Anant Jeet Singh Naruka secured India’s first medal of the competition with a bronze in the skeet final. The 26-year-old shot 43 to finish behind Italian duo Tammaro Cassandro and Gabriele Rossetti.
Naruka’s medal was a significant boost for the Indian team, coming after their fourth-place finish in the mixed team event at the Paris Olympics. “This medal will give me a lot of confidence,” Naruka said. “It’s a reminder that I have the potential to achieve great things.”
In women’s individual skeet, Ganemat Sekhon made the medal round but finished sixth. India concluded the competition with two silver and two bronze medals, while China dominated with eight medals, including five gold.
