Granada, Spain - April 5 (NationPress) - A contingent of 24 talented Indian shooters has arrived for the season-opening International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol event, competing in the 10 Olympic disciplines on the agenda.

The excitement builds as competitors prepare to take aim at the Las Gabias Shooting Range, where 434 athletes representing 51 National Olympic Committees will showcase their skills starting Tuesday.

Finals will continue throughout the week, with the opening day featuring two mixed team competitions, culminating in the finals for the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) and women’s 10m air rifle on April 12, 2026.

The Indian team boasts three strong medal prospects in individual events, along with 14 additional shooters competing solely for ranking points. The squad has arrived ahead of schedule to familiarize themselves with the shooting ranges, with their official training set for Monday (April 6, 2026).

Among the participants, reigning Asian Games champion Palak will team up with Mukesh Nelavalli in the 10m air pistol mixed team, the first event of the tournament, alongside Sainyam and Ujjwal Malik. The second final of the day will feature the air rifle mixed teams, with Indian representatives Sonam Uttam Maskar and Gajanan Shahdev Khandagale, as well as Shruti and Arshdeep Singh.

Following the established selection policy, India has fielded shooters ranked between 4-6 in national rankings, boasting established athletes like Akhil Sheoran, Anjum Moudgil, and Mehuli Ghosh, all of whom are world championship medalists. Additionally, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, the World Cup final winner, and world record holder Rhythm Sangwan, along with last year’s Buenos Aires World Cup gold medalist Vijayveer Sidhu, add strength to the lineup.

While some shooters have previously participated in continental events this year, for many, including athletes from powerhouse nation China, the Granada World Cup marks the beginning of their international season. China has entered a robust squad of 22 athletes, including three reigning Olympic champions.

In addition to China, other top shooting nations such as Germany (20), Italy (16), France (14), USA (13), and Chinese Taipei (13), alongside hosts Spain (18) and emerging Kazakhstan (15), will also have a significant presence in Granada.

Among the reigning champions, China has sent Sheng Lihao (men’s 10m air rifle), Xie Yu (men’s 10m air pistol), and Yukun Liu (men’s 3P), while Swiss champion Chiara Leone, the women's 3P titleholder, is set to kick off her international season in Granada.

Other notable athletes expected to compete include Swede Victor Lindgren (Paris silver and former world champion), the French pistol triumvirate of Jean Quiquampoix (Tokyo Olympic champion), Clement Bessaguet (current world champion), and Camille Jedrzejewski (Paris silver), as well as Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad (reigning world champion).

Illuminating the Las Gabias ranges will be the star Paris silver-winning duo Yusuf Dikec and Sevval Tarhan from Turkiye, along with American Olympic silver medalists Sagen Maddalena (Paris) and Carolyn Mary Tucker (Tokyo).

With the world championships scheduled for later this year in Doha, where the first quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will be awarded, the world’s elite shooters will be keen to test their skills early. This event also presents a valuable opportunity for India to assess its depth, especially with the Asian Games approaching.