ISSF Junior World Cup 2026: Indian Shooters Shine in Cairo with Multiple Medals
The ISSF Junior World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun held in Cairo, Egypt from April 19 to 27, 2026, delivered a strong performance from the Indian contingent, with multiple athletes securing podium finishes across pistol and rifle events. Competing at the Egypt International Olympic City, Indian junior shooters demonstrated consistency and skill, contributing to a growing medal tally for the nation.
Shiva Narwal Claims Gold in Men’s 10m Air Pistol
On the opening day of competition, Shiva Narwal made a triumphant return after a three-year hiatus to win gold in the men’s 10m air pistol junior event. Narwal topped the qualification round with a score of 576-19x and carried that momentum into the final, where he scored 241.8 to secure the top spot on the podium. He finished 1.8 points ahead of Uzbekistan’s Sodikjon Abdullaev, who took silver. Narwal’s victory marked India’s first gold of the tournament and highlighted his resurgence on the international stage.
Chirag Sharma and Abhinav Deshwal Contribute to Pistol Podium Depth
Shiva Narwal was joined on the podium by teammate Chirag Sharma, who claimed bronze in the same event with a final score of 218.9. Sharma had qualified in fourth place with a score of 575-13x. Another Indian finalist, Abhinav Deshwal, who qualified third with 576-16x, finished seventh in the final with a score of 136.7. The trio’s presence in the final underscored India’s depth in the men’s 10m air pistol junior category.
Sejal Kamble Earns Silver in 25m Pistol Women’s Junior
In the 25m pistol women’s junior qualification held on April 21, 2026, Sejal Kamble delivered a strong performance to secure the silver medal. Kamble scored 292 in the precision stage and 288 in the rapid stage, for a total of 580 points with 11 inner tens (580-11x). Her consistent shooting across both stages placed her second overall in the event, adding to India’s medal count in Cairo.
Panaah Bhugra Wins Silver in Women’s 10m Air Rifle
Panaah Bhugra contributed to India’s success in the rifle discipline by winning silver in the women’s 10m air rifle junior event. After qualifying for the final with a score of 629.4, Bhugra maintained her position throughout the medal rounds and finished with a final score of 250.6 to claim the silver medal. Her performance reflected composure and consistency under pressure.
Indian Squad Shows Broad Participation Across Events
India fielded a competitive squad across multiple disciplines at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2026. In the men’s 10m air pistol, the team included Abhinav Choudhary, Abhinav Deshwal, Abhay Dhama, Shiva Narwal, Himanshu Rana, and Chirag Sharma. The women’s 10m air pistol contingent featured Sanskriti Bana, Vanshika Chaudhary, Sejal Kamble, Kanak Kanak, Prachi Prachi, and Mohini. This wide representation highlighted the depth of talent emerging from India’s junior shooting programs.
Event Context and Viewing Access
The ISSF Junior World Cup 2026 in Cairo served as a key preparatory competition for young athletes aiming to compete at higher levels. Although the event was not broadcast live on television in India, updates and results were made available through official ISSF channels and sports news platforms. The competition ran from April 19 to 27, 2026, aligning with the international shooting calendar for junior athletes.
The performances in Cairo underscored India’s growing strength in junior shooting sports, with medal wins in pistol and rifle events signaling a promising pipeline of talent for future national and international competitions.