New Delhi: India delivered an impressive performance at the third leg of the 2025 ISSF Shooting World Cup held in Munich, securing a total of four medals — two gold and two bronze — and finishing third in the overall medal tally. The Indian contingent’s stellar showing placed them just behind shooting powerhouses China and Norway, according to a press release from the Gun for Glory academy.
Two-time Olympian Elavenil Valarivan kickstarted India’s medal run with a bronze in the women’s 10m air rifle event, scoring 231.2 in the finals. The 25-year-old shooter, who trains at the Gun for Glory academy, also set a new national record during the qualification round with an outstanding score of 635.9.
Another bronze came from rifle shooter Sift Kaur Samra, who claimed third place in the 50m rifle 3 positions event with a final score of 453.1, further strengthening India’s position in the competition.
Continuing her golden run, 19-year-old Suruchi Singh secured her third gold of the 2025 World Cup series by winning the women’s 10m air pistol event with a score of 241.9. She had earlier won gold medals in the Buenos Aires and Lima legs of the same series, and her dominant form has now made her one of India’s rising stars in the sport.
India’s second gold in Munich came from the mixed 10m air rifle team event, where the formidable pair of Arjun Babuta and Arya Borse delivered a commanding 17-7 victory against the Chinese team to top the podium.
Among other notable performances, Gun for Glory athlete Maddeneni Umamahesh stood out by becoming the only Indian to finish in the top eight of the men’s 10m air rifle qualification round, scoring 632.3.
Elavenil Valarivan expressed her gratitude and pride in contributing to the country’s success. “We train every day with the dream of winning something for our country. I am very grateful to the Gun for Glory setup, and specifically coach Neha Chavan, for their continued guidance and support,” she said. Speaking on her national record, she added, “Breaking the record is a reflection of the hard work we’ve put in. I went into the qualification round with a clear focus on giving my best, and I’m happy it paid off.”
Gagan Narang, founder of Gun for Glory and 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist, praised the Indian contingent’s performance. “It is heartwarming to see Indian athletes excelling on the world stage. My goal has always been to give back to the sport that shaped my life. Watching these young talents succeed internationally makes me proud and grateful to play a role in their journey,” he said.
The next leg of the 2025 ISSF World Cup for rifle and pistol shooters is scheduled to take place in Ningbo, China, in September, where India will look to build on their momentum and continue their medal-winning streak.
