Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Raiza Dhillon miss ISSF World Cup Shotgun finals in Almaty
Synopsis
India's skeet shooters came tantalizingly close but fell short at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Almaty. Mairaj Ahmad Khan (18th, 119 points) and Raiza Dhillon (17th, 115 points) led the charge, yet neither broke into the top-eight finals. The narrow misses hint at execution lapses in decisive moments—a pattern that could shape India's Olympic shotgun strategy.
Key Takeaways
Mairaj Ahmad Khan finished 18th with 119 points in men's skeet qualification at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 5 May .
Raiza Dhillon posted the best Indian result in the women's event, placing 17th with 115 points .
Bhavtegh Singh Gill matched Mairaj's 119-point aggregate but finished 19th .
Neither the men's nor women's Indian contingent qualified for the finals, which typically comprise the top eight finishers.
Ganemat Sekhon slipped from just outside the top eight after Day One to 33rd place after shooting 22 and 20 in her final two series.
Indian skeet shooters failed to secure qualification for the finals in either the men's or women's events at the ISSF World Cup Shotgun on 5 May at the Asanov Shooting Club in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Olympians Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Raiza Dhillon posted the strongest performances among the Indian contingent, but neither crossed the qualifying threshold.
Men's qualification results
Mairaj Ahmad Khan, who carried a score of 71 from Day One, added 48 points across the final two series (23, 25) to finish in 18th place with a total of 119. Bhavtegh Singh Gill matched Mairaj's aggregate of 119 (24, 24, 23, 24, 24) but placed marginally lower in 19th. Anantjeet Singh Naruka, an Olympian competing in his first World Cup of the season, shot a perfect 25 in the fourth series followed by 23 to end in 38th place with 117 points. Gurjoat Singh Khangura, the national champion, posted 22 and 23 in his final two attempts, finishing in 54th place with 115 points. Abhay Singh Sekhon rounded out the men's field in 71st place after shooting 23 and 20 for a total of 113.
Women's qualification setback
Raiza Dhillon emerged as the top Indian performer in the women's event, securing 17th place with a consistent run of 115 points (22, 23, 24, 23, 23). However, Ganemat Sekhon, who had positioned herself just outside the top eight after Day One, faltered with 22 and 20 in her final two series, sliding to 33rd place with 112 points. Parinaaz Dhaliwal finished one spot ahead of Ganemat in 32nd place, also with 112 points (24, 22 in the final two rounds). Competing for ranking points, Vanshika Tiwari and Rashmmi Rathore placed in 29th and 47th positions with 112 and 102 points, respectively.
What the misses mean
The Indian team's failure to reach the finals—typically the top eight finishers qualify—underscores the competitive depth at ISSF World Cups. While Mairaj and Raiza came closest, finishing in the 17th–18th range, the margins were tight enough to suggest that minor consistency lapses in the final series proved decisive. This comes as India ramps up preparations for international shotgun competitions ahead of the Olympic cycle.
Looking ahead
The Indian skeet contingent will have further opportunities at upcoming ISSF World Cups to fine-tune their form and secure medals. The focus now shifts to identifying areas of consistency, particularly in high-pressure final series where shooters like Ganemat—who started strong—saw scores dip.
Point of View
And Ganemat's collapse from the edge of the top eight speaks to mental resilience gaps under pressure. With Olympic selection cycles underway, these qualification-stage slip-ups—not medal-round failures—are where India's shotgun programme leaks talent and ranking points. The focus must shift from raw scoring to repeatability in high-stakes rounds.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Indian skeet shooters miss the ISSF World Cup Shotgun finals in Almaty?
Indian skeet shooters did not qualify for the finals, which typically comprise the top eight finishers. Mairaj Ahmad Khan finished 18th with 119 points and Raiza Dhillon placed 17th with 115 points—both just outside the qualification cutoff.
What were Mairaj Ahmad Khan's scores across the qualification rounds?
Mairaj Ahmad Khan carried 71 points from Day One and shot 23 and 25 in his final two series on Day Two, totalling 119 points to finish 18th in the men's skeet qualification.
How did Raiza Dhillon perform in the women's skeet event?
Raiza Dhillon posted the best Indian result in the women's event with a score of 115 points (22, 23, 24, 23, 23), finishing in 17th place but missing qualification for the finals.
Which Indian shooter came closest to qualifying for the finals?
Raiza Dhillon came closest, finishing 17th with 115 points in the women's event. However, the top eight finishers qualify for the finals, leaving her just outside the cutoff.
When and where was the ISSF World Cup Shotgun held?
The ISSF World Cup Shotgun took place at the Asanov Shooting Club in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with the men's and women's skeet qualification rounds held on 5 May.
