Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar wins Trap Junior gold at ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in Porpetto
Synopsis
A 15-year-old Indian shooter who barely scraped into the final via a shoot-off went on to win gold — beating the qualification leader and two home-nation finalists in front of an Italian crowd. Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar's Trap Men Junior gold at Porpetto is India's first medal of the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun, and a standout result for the country's junior shooting pipeline.
Key Takeaways
Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar , aged 15 , won the Trap Men Junior gold at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in Porpetto, Italy on 18 September 2026 .
He hit 27 targets in the final, edging Italy's Francesco Tanfoglio (silver, 26 hits ) by a single hit.
Italy's Simone Roncen took bronze with 21 targets ; qualification leader Andrea Diana finished fifth with 11 targets .
Yugan qualified tied sixth with a score of 114 , advancing only after winning a shoot-off against Spain's Eduard Salichs 2-1 .
This is India's first medal at this edition of the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun.
India's Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar clinched the gold medal in the Trap Men Junior event at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in Porpetto, Italy on 18 September 2026, delivering India its first medal of the competition. The 15-year-old shooter hit 27 targets in a tightly contested final to pip Italy's Francesco Tanfoglio by a single hit.
How the Final Unfolded
Tanfoglio took the silver medal with 26 hits, while compatriot Simone Roncen secured bronze with 21 targets. Spain's Jose Barrero finished fourth with 15 hits, and Italy's Andrea Diana — who had led the qualification stage with a score of 120 — placed fifth with just 11 targets in the final.
A Nail-Biting Path to the Final
Yugan's route to the medal round was anything but straightforward. He posted a qualification score of 114 across five rounds — shooting 22, 22, 24, 23, 23 — to finish tied for sixth place, right on the cusp of elimination. In the shoot-off for the final qualification spot, he held his nerve to defeat Spain's Eduard Salichs by 2-1, squeezing into the medal round with barely a margin to spare.
Composure Under Pressure
Entering the final from the sixth seed, Yugan demonstrated methodical consistency throughout the elimination stages. He built momentum through the closing sequences to overhaul his rivals and finish atop a highly competitive field. Notably, he outperformed Diana — the qualification leader — in the final, underscoring the mental edge the young Indian brought to the decisive round.
What This Win Means for India
The gold is India's first medal at this edition of the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun. At just 15 years old, Yugan's performance on Italian soil signals a promising addition to India's growing pipeline of elite shooting talent. This comes amid India's sustained investment in grassroots shooting programmes, which have produced a string of international junior medallists in recent years. The next phase of the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun continues in Porpetto with more events to follow.
Point of View
Survived a shoot-off, and then outperformed the field leader in the final. India's shooting infrastructure has consistently produced junior medallists, but converting that depth into senior consistency at the Olympics remains the real benchmark. At 15, Yugan has the runway; the question is whether the support system sustains him through the senior transition.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar?
Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar is a 15-year-old Indian trap shooter who won the gold medal in the Trap Men Junior event at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun in Porpetto, Italy on 18 September 2026. His gold is India's first medal at this edition of the competition.
What was the final result of the Trap Men Junior event at the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun?
Yugan Sakthivel Muthukumaar of India won gold with 27 hits, Francesco Tanfoglio of Italy took silver with 26 hits, and Simone Roncen of Italy claimed bronze with 21 targets. Spain's Jose Barrero finished fourth and Italy's Andrea Diana placed fifth.
How did Yugan qualify for the Trap Men Junior final?
Yugan shot a qualification score of 114 across five rounds to finish tied for sixth place. He then won a shoot-off against Spain's Eduard Salichs 2-1 to secure the last spot in the final.
Where is the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun 2026 being held?
The ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun is being held in Porpetto, Italy. The competition continues with more events scheduled after the Trap Men Junior final.
Why is Yugan's gold significant for Indian shooting?
It is India's first medal at this edition of the ISSF Junior World Cup Shotgun, and it highlights the depth of India's junior shooting talent pipeline. Yugan's victory — achieved from the sixth seed after a shoot-off — is particularly notable given his age and the competitive field he overcame.
