December 21, 2024

The performance of the Indian shooters at the ISSF World Cup in Mexico was outstanding. In a star-studded field, India topped the list with 4 gold, one silver and four bronze medals. The gold medals were won by Shahzar Rizvi, Manu Bhaker, Akhil Sheoran and Om Prakash Mitharval while Anjum Moudgil bagged a silver medal.

The best thing about the tournament for India, apart from the medals, was the way two youngsters showed temperament way above their age to shoot the way they did in their first senior championships. Manu Bhaker from Haryana and Mehuli Ghosh from Bengal did the nation proud. Bhaker, all of 16 years, won gold in 10m air pistol in individual category. She doubled the delight by teaming up with Om Prakash Mitharval to win the mixed event in the same category. Mehuli Ghosh, not much older and playing in her first senior tournament, won two bronze medals, in 10m air rifle and the mixed event in same category. Both these grils have a very bright future before them.

Of the others, India found two new stars in Rizvi and Sheoran. Most of the other shooters performed well too, with only Sheeraz Sheikh being off-colour in the tournament. If India builds on this performance, it will become a force to be reckoned with.