In a stunning display of skill and composure, India's Arya Borse and Arjun Babuta clinched the gold medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Munich on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The Indian duo defeated the formidable Chinese team of Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei, with a convincing 17-7 victory in the final. This victory is particularly significant as Sheng Lihao is the reigning Olympic and World Champion in the men's 10m air rifle individual event and had also won gold in the mixed team event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The path to gold wasn't without its challenges. In the qualification round, Borse and Babuta secured the second position with a combined score of 635.2. The Chinese team, Sheng and Wang, topped the standings with a world record score of 635.9. Despite the Chinese team's record-breaking performance, the Indian pair remained unfazed and displayed remarkable focus throughout the final.
In the gold medal match, Arya Borse and Arjun Babuta showcased exceptional teamwork and precision. Although Arya opened with a 9.8, giving the Chinese team an initial lead of 0-2, the Indian duo quickly found their rhythm. For the next several rounds, they consistently shot high scores, building a dominant lead of 13-3 after the eighth series. While the Chinese pair attempted a comeback, winning the subsequent two series, Arya and Arjun held their nerve. In the 11th round, Arjun and Arya responded strongly, scoring 10.5 and 10.7 respectively, to reach match point. In the decisive 12th series, Arjun matched Sheng with a 10.1, and Arya edged out Wang 10.6 to 10.4, clinching a memorable win for India.
Arjun Babuta, reflecting on the victory, shared that he didn't feel pressured despite playing against Sheng Lihao, his former competitor from the Paris Games where Arjun finished fourth. He emphasized that they focused on their technique and avoided getting distracted by the scores. Arjun also mentioned that he had been struggling with a new jacket and trousers in the individual match but had it repaired, which improved his performance.
Arya Borse, the 22-year-old from Nashik, had previously won silver medals in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the ISSF World Cups in Buenos Aires and Lima, partnering with Rudrankksh Patil. This gold medal marks a significant milestone in her career.
The Indian Express quoted Arjun Babuta, “When such wins come after such high scores in qualification in mixed team format, it gives you a lot of confidence. Sheng Lihao is currently the best 10m air rifle shooter in the world and to beat such a strong mixed team will count as one of our cherished medals. A joyous final.” He also highlighted the difference between individual and mixed team events, noting that the margin of error is smaller in the mixed team format due to fewer shots.
India concluded the ISSF World Cup in Munich with a total of four medals, comprising two gold and two bronze, securing the third position on the medals table, behind China and Norway. Suruchi Singh won gold in the women's 10m air pistol, while Sift Kaur Samra and Elavenil Valarivan won bronze medals in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions and 10m air rifle events, respectively.
