Pritam Kendre wins ISSF Junior World Championship gold in 10m air rifle
Synopsis
Just weeks after finishing his Class 10 board exams, 16-year-old Pritam Kendre from Pune scored 251.3 to win gold in the men's 10m air rifle at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl — only his second international tournament. It is the kind of debut that signals a long career ahead, and another data point in India's deepening junior shooting pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Pritam Kendre , 16, won gold in men's 10m air rifle at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany on 22 June .
His final score was 251.3 , ahead of neutral athlete Timofei Aleinikov (silver) and Norway's Jens Oestli (bronze).
This was Kendre's second international tournament and his first world title.
He trains at the Gagan Narang Gun For Glory (GNGFG) Shooting Academy in Pune .
India has fielded an 84-member team at the event, which features over 800 shooters from 70 nations .
India topped the medals tally at the 2024 edition in Lima with 24 medals (13 gold, 3 silver, 8 bronze).
Sixteen-year-old Indian shooter Pritam Kendre claimed gold in the men's 10m air rifle event at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany on 22 June, delivering a composed performance in only his second international competition. Kendre scored 251.3 in the eight-man final to finish ahead of neutral athlete Timofei Aleinikov (silver) and Norway's Jens Oestli (bronze).
A Technical Game Plan That Paid Off
Kendre attributed the win entirely to preparation and process. 'I am extremely happy with this victory. My only focus throughout the competition was on my technique and giving my best in every shot,' he said after the final.
The Pune-based shooter pointed to the Gagan Narang Gun For Glory (GNGFG) Shooting Academy as central to his rapid development. 'The coaches at GNGFG have given me tremendous personal attention. Our training has always been centred on improving my technique, and I believe that has been the biggest reason behind this success,' he added.
From Board Exams to World Gold
Kendre had only recently completed his Class 10 board exams before travelling to Germany — a detail that underscores how early his international career has begun. The gold is his first world title, and he says it has sharpened his ambitions. 'Winning a world championship gold has given me immense confidence. I want to continue improving in the 10m air rifle event and win many more medals for India in the years ahead,' he stated.
India's Presence at Suhl 2025
The fifth edition of the ISSF Junior World Championship has drawn over 800 shooters from 70 national federations. India has fielded an 84-member contingent — one of the largest delegations at the event. The scale of India's participation reflects a sustained investment in junior shooting infrastructure over the past decade.
Defending a Dominant Legacy
India enters the Suhl edition as the defending leader of the medals tally. At the 2024 ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru, India topped the standings with 24 medals — comprising 13 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze. Kendre's gold is an early signal that India intends to defend that position. Notably, this is the same 10m air rifle pipeline that has produced Olympic-level talent for India over successive cycles, making Kendre's trajectory one to watch closely.
Point of View
Anchored by academies like GNGFG and a deep talent pipeline that topped Lima's medals tally with 24 medals in 2024. The striking detail here is the margin of his inexperience: a second international tournament, fresh off board exams, and already a world champion. What that pipeline has not always managed is converting junior dominance into senior Olympic medals at scale. Whether Kendre's technical discipline holds as fields get stronger and pressure compounds will be the real test of this system's depth.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pritam Kendre?
Pritam Kendre is a 16-year-old Indian sport shooter from Pune who trains at the Gagan Narang Gun For Glory Shooting Academy. He won gold in the men's 10m air rifle event at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany, in only his second international competition.
What score did Pritam Kendre post to win gold?
Kendre scored 251.3 in the eight-man final to claim gold. Neutral athlete Timofei Aleinikov finished second with silver, and Norway's Jens Oestli took bronze.
Where and when is the 2025 ISSF Junior World Championship being held?
The fifth edition of the ISSF Junior World Championship is being held in Suhl, Germany. The men's 10m air rifle final in which Kendre competed took place on 22 June.
How has India performed at recent ISSF Junior World Championships?
India topped the medals tally at the 2024 ISSF Junior World Championship in Lima, Peru, winning 24 medals — 13 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze. India has sent an 84-member team to the 2025 edition in Suhl.
What role did the Gagan Narang academy play in Kendre's success?
Kendre credited the Gagan Narang Gun For Glory (GNGFG) Shooting Academy with providing him focused personal coaching centred on technical improvement. He said the academy's approach was 'the biggest reason behind this success.'
