Will Indian Juniors Shine at the ISSF World Cup in Suhl?

New Delhi, May 17 (NationPress) A contingent of 40 Indian shooters and their support team are set to participate in the prestigious International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) in Suhl, Germany, beginning Saturday. The official arrivals are slated for May 19, with competitions kicking off on May 20 and continuing until May 26, 2025. India, which dominated two out of three ISSF junior events last year, has assembled the largest squad of 57 shooters, accompanied by 21 officials, including coaches and support personnel. A second round of 38 individuals (28 shooters and 10 support members) will travel on Sunday.

Suhl, a quaint town with a population of around 40,000 located in the heart of Germany, has been a pivotal hub for junior international shooting, consistently attracting the brightest upcoming talents in the sport.

Many future Olympic and world champions have emerged from Suhl. Following a hiatus during the Olympic year, the Suhl Junior World Cup returns with remarkable enthusiasm, featuring over 630 athletes from 59 nations, including the sport's heavyweight contenders.

All 15 Olympic events are scheduled, along with the 50m rifle prone competition for junior men and women, which will commence on Day One. The Trap Mixed Team event will conclude the medal presentations on the 26th.

Star Olympian Raiza Dhillon (skeet) and Sabeera Harris, who recently earned a bronze in mixed team trap at the Nicosia Shotgun World Cup, are among the standout competitors representing India.

Other notable names include Naamya Kapoor, a former Junior World Champion at just 13, reigning dual Junior World Champion Divanshi (25m pistol), and the Junior World Champion in the 25m pistol category, Mukesh Nellavalli. Additionally, Asian Junior Champion Harmehar Lally (Skeet) and multiple junior ISSF medallists Shubham Bisla (air pistol) and Abhinav Chaudhary (air pistol) are noteworthy contenders.

India topped the last Suhl Junior World Cup in 2023 with an impressive haul of six gold, six silver, and three bronze medals, and expectations are high for this year's event.

Coach Sanjeev Rajput, a double Olympian and multiple ISSF medalist, expressed optimism about the squad's training, stating, “The entire team has been rigorously preparing at the national camp, and it's encouraging that several members have moved up to senior ranks in the junior circuit. Their experience will be invaluable to those participating in such a significant tournament for the first time. The young athletes are enthusiastic and ready to compete.”

A total of 36 shooters will be funded by the government, while 21 shooters will cover their own expenses, as permitted in junior competitions. Each country can enter only three shooters for medals in an event, while two teams may compete in mixed events. The remaining participants will compete solely for ranking points.