New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) The elite international skeet shooters are all set to begin their competition on the inaugural day of the first Shotgun World Cup of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup series, which kicks off in Tangier, Morocco, on Thursday. A dedicated team of 12 members will represent India in this year’s inaugural ISSF World Cup Shotgun.

With over 270 competitors from 43 nations in contention for five coveted gold medals across the Olympic shotgun events, including reigning world and Olympic champions, the atmosphere is charged as athletes look to assess their skills ahead of a demanding international season.

The men's and women's skeet categories will commence with the initial 75 targets of the qualification round slated for Friday (March 27, 2026), followed by an additional 50 targets and the finals on the subsequent day. The final event, the Trap Mixed Team, is scheduled for April 2, 2026.

The Indian shotgun team last performed as a complete unit on the international stage during the Athens world championships last year, where veteran Zoravar Singh Sandhu earned a remarkable bronze in men’s trap.

The team arrived in Morocco on Monday after traveling via Cairo, Egypt, and has already engaged in unofficial training sessions at the Tangier Shooting Club, the event's official site. Official pre-event training for the skeet shooters is planned for Thursday.

In anticipation of the skeet competitions, national coach Vikram Chopra remarked, “We arrived early to adapt and because this is the team’s first competition at such a level after a long hiatus. The training has been rigorous and positive, but nothing compares to world-class competition for assessing your readiness in an important year ahead. We are hopeful for a strong start here in Morocco.”

In Tangier, seasoned professionals Man Singh and Parampal Singh Guron will spearhead India’s hopes in men’s skeet, with newcomer Jyotiraditya Singh Sisodiya rounding out the trio. Man, a former Asian champion, is making his return to the team after a three-year absence, while Parampal last represented India in 2022. Young Jyotiraditya, who secured a junior bronze at the Shymkent Asian Championships last year, is excited for his senior India debut.

Leading the women’s skeet team, Olympian Maheshwari Chauhan will be joined by state juniors Darshna and Yashasvi Rathore in pursuit of medals, forming an all-Rajasthan women's trio.

The Trap team features three Olympians: Rajeshwari Kumari in women's trap and Prithviraj Tondaiman and Kynan Chenai in men’s trap. Kirti Gupta and Aashima Ahlawat will partner with Rajeshwari, while Bhowneesh Mendiratta aims to enhance his tally of one World Cup silver in men’s trap. Prithviraj and Kirti, along with Kynan and Rajeshwari, will team up in the Trap Mixed Team event for India.