Swapnil Kusale, a Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, is spearheading the Indian contingent at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Rifle/Pistol World Cup in Munich, Germany, taking place from June 8 to 15, 2025. Kusale's return to the squad, along with Asian Games gold medalist Palak, injects experience and talent into the 23-member Indian team.
The Munich World Cup is a crucial event for Indian shooters as they face a formidable challenge from a full-strength South Korean team, including reigning Olympic champions Oh Ye Jin, Ban Hyojin, and Yang Jiin, as well as Olympic silver medalist Park Hajun. This marks a significant shift from the South American legs in Argentina and Peru, where Korea fielded a smaller team. The presence of the Korean squad elevates the competition, making it a true test of Olympic-level preparedness.
India enters the Munich World Cup on the heels of a successful campaign in South America, where the rifle and pistol team secured 15 medals, including six gold medals, across the Argentina and Peru World Cups. They finished second in Argentina and third in Peru, demonstrating their growing consistency on the global stage. However, Munich presents a different challenge with a deeper field and intense scrutiny.
Alongside Swapnil Kusale, several key Indian shooters are participating in the Munich World Cup. Manu Bhaker will be competing in both the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events. Elavenil Valarivan, a former world number one in women's air rifle, is also making her international return since her participation in Paris. Sandeep Singh is also back in the team.
The Munich World Cup also presents an opportunity for new talent to emerge, with three Indian shooters making their senior international debuts. Ananya Naidu of Maharashtra, the reigning national champion, Aditya Malra from Haryana, and Army shooter Nishant Rawat will all be looking to make their mark on the global stage.
The ISSF World Cup in Munich is expected to be a highly competitive event, with approximately 695 athletes from 78 countries participating. The event will test the shooters' form, combinations, and competitive resilience, serving as a crucial step on the road to the Los Angeles Olympics. For India, the World Cup provides an opportunity to consolidate confidence, finalize team strategies, and compete against the world's best.
