ISSF World Cup Highlights: Sonam Claims Strong Fifth as India Seizes One Gold
Synopsis
Sonam Uttam Maskar's impressive fifth-place finish in the women's 10m air rifle final highlights India's determination at the ISSF World Cup in Granada, Spain, culminating in a total of one gold medal. Discover the key moments of this thrilling event.
Key Takeaways
Sonam Uttam Maskar finished fifth in the women's 10m air rifle final.
India concluded the ISSF World Cup with one gold medal.
Wang Zifei of China won the final with 252.9 points.
India had a total of seven finals appearances during the event.
Sonam's final score was 188.5, just 0.8 points short of a podium finish.
New Delhi, Apr 12 (NationPress) Sonam Uttam Maskar showcased remarkable resilience, finishing fifth in the women's 10m air rifle final during the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol event held in Granada, Spain. India wrapped up their campaign with a total of one gold medal.
Sonam managed a score of 188.5, concluding her performance after the 18th shot of the 24-shot final, falling short by 0.8 points behind her closest competitors, including world number one and gold medalist Wang Zifei from China, who achieved 252.9 points. The silver medal was claimed by Norway's Jeanette Hegg Duestad, the women's 3P world champion, with a score of 252.4, while Han Jiayu of China secured the bronze with 231.5.
India's team, comprised largely of shooters ranked between 4-6 in national standings, reached seven finals in this year's opening world cup event. However, the only gold came from the 10m air pistol duo of Mukesh Nelavalli and Palak, who triumphed on the first day of competition. China dominated the medal tally, finishing with eight golds and a total of 13 medals.
In the qualification stage, Sonam posted a score of 632.8 to secure the seventh position for the final. Her teammates Mehuli Ghosh (627.3) and Shruti (624.8) finished 44th and 63rd, respectively, out of a strong field of 91 competitors.
Among ranking point-only shooters, Narmada Nithin Raju recorded 629.0, while Rajshree Sancheti scored 628.1.
Sonam began the final with an impressive 10.6 but followed it with a 9.8, which ultimately hindered her chances for a podium finish given the high-caliber competition. She demonstrated her fighting spirit by averting elimination three times, with a standout score of 10.9 on her 14th shot being a highlight of her performance. Despite closing with a 10.5, she was unable to recover sufficiently.
Earlier in the day, Niraj Kumar scored 589 in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions qualification, while Akhil Sheoran followed closely with 588, finishing in 15th and 22nd place, respectively. Chain Singh unfortunately did not advance past elimination on Saturday.
Point of View
Sonam Uttam Maskar's performance at the ISSF World Cup reflects not only her individual talent but also the potential of Indian shooters on the international stage. With a total of one gold medal, the campaign exemplifies resilience and dedication, paving the way for future competitions.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sonam Uttam Maskar's final score in the women's 10m air rifle?
Sonam finished with a score of 188.5 in the women's 10m air rifle final.
How many medals did India win at the ISSF World Cup?
India concluded the ISSF World Cup campaign with one gold medal.
Who won the gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle final?
The gold medal was won by Wang Zifei of China, who scored 252.9 points.
What position did India finish in the overall medal tally?
India finished with one gold medal, while China topped the medal tally with eight golds.
What were the scores of Sonam's teammates in the qualification round?
Mehuli Ghosh scored 627.3 and Shruti scored 624.8 in the qualification round.
