The Indian shooting contingent concluded their campaign at the ISSF World Cup in Munich on a high note, with the duo of Arjun Babuta and Arya Rajesh Borse clinching the gold medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This victory not only added another gold to India's tally but also highlighted the nation's growing dominance in international shooting.
Arjun and Arya's journey to the top was marked by exceptional skill and composure. In the qualification round, they shot a combined score of 635.2, trailing slightly behind the Chinese pair of Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei, who set a world record (also junior) with 635.9. However, the Indian duo saved their best for the final, where they faced off against the same formidable Chinese opponents.
In the final showdown, Arjun Babuta and Arya Borse displayed remarkable accuracy and teamwork. Despite Arya starting with a 9.8, giving the Chinese an initial lead, the Indian team quickly found their rhythm. For the next seven series of single shots, they consistently scored above 10.5, except for a single 10.2, propelling them to a commanding 13-3 lead.
The Chinese pair, which included Sheng Lihao, the reigning Olympic and World Champion, and Wang Zifei, attempted a comeback, winning the subsequent two series. However, Arjun and Arya remained unfazed. They regained their focus and delivered a series of strong shots, with Arya firing a 10.5 and Arjun a 10.7 in the 11th series to reach match point. In the final and decisive 12th series, Arjun matched Sheng with a 10.1, while Arya outscored Wang with a 10.6 to secure the gold medal with a final score of 17-7.
This gold medal is India's second at the Munich World Cup, adding to Suruchi Singh's gold in the women's 10m air pistol event. Additionally, Sift Kaur Samra and Elavenil Valarivan secured bronze medals in their respective individual events earlier in the week. With a total of four medals, India finished third in the medal standings, behind China and Norway.
The victory of Arjun and Arya is particularly significant as they triumphed over Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei, who are among the top shooters in the world. Sheng Lihao is not only the reigning Olympic and World Champion but also holds the world record in the event. Overcoming such accomplished opponents underscores the skill and determination of the Indian pair.
Other Indian performances at the Munich World Cup included Elavenil Valarivan and Kiran Ankush Jadhav, who finished sixth in the 10m air rifle mixed team event with a score of 631.8. Manu Bhaker and Aditya Malra finished sixth in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
The Munich World Cup has been a successful outing for the Indian shooting contingent, showcasing their talent and potential on the global stage. The gold medal win by Arjun and Arya serves as a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it bodes well for India's future in the sport.
