India has announced a formidable 54-member shooting contingent for the upcoming ISSF World Championship in Doha, Qatar, commencing on November 1.
Headlining the national challenge are two-time Olympic champion Manu Bhaker and in-form Asian Games star Neeru Dhanda, as Indian marksmen step onto the global stage to kickstart the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The prestigious tournament serves as the biggest qualification opportunity of the LA 2028 cycle, offering a total of 36 Olympic quotas with three available across each of the 12 Olympic shooting events. However, sports governance guidelines dictate that quotas secured belong to the country rather than the individual athletes, leaving final team selections at the discretion of national federations.
Star-Studded Squad and Event Lineup
India will have a presence across all 12 Olympic disciplines in Doha, fielding 35 athletes in Olympic events and 19 in non-Olympic categories.
Manu Bhaker, who etched her name in history at the Paris 2024 Games, will spearhead the pistol challenge, competing in both the women’s 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events. She will be joined by fellow standout performers like Asian Games mixed 10m air pistol gold medalists Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Sohlot.
In the rifle events, Asian Games silver medalists Elavenil Valarivan and Himanshu Dhillon will look to translate their continental success onto the global stage in the 10m air rifle disciplines. They are complemented by seasoned campaigners including Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions) and Olympian Anjum Moudgil (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions). Paris 2024 bronze medalist Swapnil Kusale is also part of the delegation, set to test his mettle in the non-Olympic men’s 50m rifle prone event.
Shotgun Focus and Key Omissions
On the shotgun front, all eyes will be on Neeru Dhanda, who arrives in Doha riding high on an incredible Asian Games campaign that yielded two historic trap gold medals and a silver. She will be paired with Zoravar Singh Sandhu in the trap mixed team event. Anant Jeet Singh Naruka will anchor the men’s skeet challenge. Meanwhile, notable absences from the roster include Paris 2024 bronze medalist Sarabjot Singh, who did not make the final cut.
With a blend of veteran Olympic medalists and hungry rising stars, the Indian contingent aims to make a strong opening statement in Doha and secure vital early quotas for the 2028 Summer Games.
