Udhayveer Sidhu wins gold in 10m air pistol at ISSF World Cup Cairo 2026
Synopsis
In a nail-biting finish at Cairo, 24-year-old Udhayveer Sidhu trailed multi-Olympic medallist Christian Reitz by 0.3 points with two shots to go — then outscored him on both to steal the gold by just 0.5 points. It is one of the closest finishes on the ISSF World Cup circuit this year, and signals India's continued depth in pistol shooting beyond its established Olympic names.
Key Takeaways
Udhayveer Sidhu won gold in the Men's 10m Air Pistol at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo on 11 October 2026 with a score of 240.6 .
He edged Germany's Christian Reitz by 0.5 points , recovering from a 0.3-point deficit in the final two shots.
Italy's Paolo Monna took bronze with 219.8 ; Turkey's Paris 2024 medallist Yusuf Dikec finished seventh.
Jonathan Gavin Antony (RPO) shot 586 to tie for top qualifier; Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh placed 31st in qualification.
India's 24-member team is competing across 8 individual disciplines and 2 mixed team events at the tournament, which runs until 16 October 2026 .
India's Udhayveer Sidhu claimed the gold medal in the Men's 10m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo on 11 October 2026, finishing with a score of 240.6 to edge out Germany's decorated Olympian Christian Reitz by a razor-thin 0.5 points. The 24-year-old's nervy, composed performance in the medal match caps a strong outing for India at the ongoing competition.
How the Final Unfolded
Udhayveer's victory was far from straightforward. Heading into the closing elimination stages, he trailed Reitz by 0.3 points with just two shots remaining. The Indian responded with scores of 10.2 and 9.8, while Reitz recorded back-to-back 9.6s — handing the gold to Udhayveer on the final shot. Reitz, a multi-Olympic medallist, settled for silver with 240.1. Italy's Paolo Monna claimed bronze at 219.8.
Qualification and Indian Performances
Udhayveer had entered the eight-man final in fourth position, posting a qualification total of 585 across six series (99, 98, 98, 97, 97, 96). Fellow Indian Jonathan Gavin Antony, competing for Ranking Points Only (RPO), shot an impressive 586 to tie for the top qualification score alongside Monna — a strong showing even outside the medal rounds. Ajendra Singh Chauhan finished 14th with 580. Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh placed 31st with 574, while Kumar Yogesh posted 573 in the RPO section.
Notable Competitors in the Final
The final field included Turkey's Paris 2024 Olympic medallist Yusuf Dikec, who finished seventh with 138.0. Greece's Georgios Gampierakis placed fourth with 198.7, and Latvia's Emils Vasermanis came fifth at 177.6.
India's Cairo Campaign
The ISSF World Cup is scheduled from 8 to 16 October 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. India fielded a 24-member team across eight individual Olympic disciplines and two mixed team events. The squad completed an intensive national camp at Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun from 1 to 7 October 2026, focusing on match simulations and technical refinement before travelling to Egypt. With the competition running until 16 October, India will be looking to add to its medal tally across the remaining events.
Point of View
The Cairo competition is surfacing a new tier of Indian shooters capable of beating established Olympic medallists. The real question is whether the selection and support system can convert these World Cup performances into Paris cycle consistency.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Udhayveer Sidhu and what did he win at the ISSF World Cup 2026?
Udhayveer Sidhu is a 24-year-old Indian shooter who won the gold medal in the Men's 10m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo on 11 October 2026. He finished with a score of 240.6, edging Germany's Christian Reitz by 0.5 points in a dramatic final.
How did Udhayveer Sidhu win the gold medal despite trailing in the final?
Udhayveer trailed multi-Olympic medallist Christian Reitz by 0.3 points going into the final two shots. He fired 10.2 and 9.8, while Reitz recorded back-to-back 9.6s, handing the gold to Udhayveer by 0.5 points on the very last shot.
Where and when is the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2026 being held?
The ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2026 is being held in Cairo, Egypt, from 8 to 16 October 2026. India sent a 24-member squad to compete across eight individual Olympic disciplines and two mixed team events.
How did other Indian shooters perform at the Cairo ISSF World Cup?
Jonathan Gavin Antony topped the qualification scores with 586 (competing for Ranking Points Only), while Ajendra Singh Chauhan finished 14th with 580. Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh placed 31st with 574, and Kumar Yogesh posted 573 in the RPO section.
Who finished second and third in the Men's 10m Air Pistol final in Cairo?
Germany's Christian Reitz took the silver medal with 240.1, and Italy's Paolo Monna claimed bronze with 219.8. Turkey's Paris 2024 Olympic medallist Yusuf Dikec finished seventh with 138.0.
