India sends a strong contingent to the ISSF World Cup in Granada, Spain. This article breaks down India's chances, the competition, and why this tournament is crucial for the future of Indian shooting.
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup season has kicked off in Granada, Spain, and India has sent a strong contingent of 24 shooters across all 10 Olympic shooting events. The competition began on April 5th, 2026, at the Las Gabias Shooting Range, with a total of 434 athletes from 51 National Olympic Committees vying for medals.
India has entered three medal contenders in each of the individual events, along with 14 additional shooters participating to gain ranking points (RPO). This provides crucial experience on the international stage. The team arrived early to familiarize themselves with the shooting ranges before the official pre-event training.
Reigning Asian Games champion Palak is partnering with Mukesh Nelavalli in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Sonam Uttam Maskar and Gajanan Shahdev Khandagale, as well as Shruti and Arshdeep Singh are competing in the air rifle mixed team.
The Indian squad features established names like Akhil Sheoran, Anjum Moudgil, and Mehuli Ghosh – all world championship medalists. The team also includes World Cup final winner Simranpreet Kaur Brar, world record holder Rhythm Sangwan, and last year’s Buenos Aires World Cup gold medallist Vijayveer Sidhu.
The Granada World Cup is the international season opener for many shooters, including those from powerhouse nations like China. The Chinese delegation is the second largest with 22 members, including three reigning Olympic champions: Sheng Lihao (men’s 10m air rifle), Xie Yu (men’s 10m air pistol), and Yukun Liu (men’s 3P). Other strong nations with significant representation include Germany, Italy, France, USA, Chinese Taipei, hosts Spain, and Kazakhstan.
Other notable athletes include Swiss Chiara Leone (women’s 3P champion), Swede Victor Lindgren, the French pistol trio of Jean Quiquampoix, Clement Bessaguet and Camille Jedrzejewski, and Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad.
The ISSF World Cup in Granada is significant for several reasons:
In our opinion, India has a strong team with a good mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent. The early arrival and acclimatization to the ranges will undoubtedly be beneficial. The performance of the mixed teams, particularly Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli, will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the competition.
The competition is fierce, with China fielding a formidable team. The experience of Akhil Sheoran, Anjum Moudgil, and Mehuli Ghosh will be vital in guiding the younger shooters and securing medals for India.
However, the fact that shooters ranked 4-6 nationally have been selected suggests India is prioritising development and giving opportunities to a wider pool of talent, which in the long run is good.
This could impact India's chances at the World Championships and the Asian Games. A strong showing in Granada will boost the team's confidence and momentum. The experience gained by the RPO shooters will be invaluable as they develop their skills and compete for future opportunities.
The performance of the Indian shooters in Granada will provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the team, allowing for targeted training and preparation for the upcoming major events. It's important to maintain focus throughout the week-long event and not be discouraged by early results.
Ultimately, this World Cup is a crucial stepping stone in India's journey towards success in international shooting. The results here will help shape the team's strategy and preparation for the World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
