Synopsis
The NRAI has announced a 35-member Indian shooting team, with Manu Bhaker selected for two events, for the upcoming ISSF World Cups in South America, kicking off the international shooting sports season for 2025.Key Takeaways
- Manu Bhaker is the sole shooter for two individual events.
- The team comprises 35 members heading to South America.
- The competitions will take place in Buenos Aires and Lima.
- A national camp will be held in Delhi starting March 14.
- The ISSF World Championships will be held later this year.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (NationPress) Manu Bhaker, an Olympic Games double-bronze medallist, has been chosen as the sole representative for two individual events by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for the inaugural World Cups of the year, marking the commencement of the international shooting sports season for 2025.
The NRAI has revealed a 35-member Indian team for the two-stage South American journey for the combined (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cups, set to take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina (from Apr 1-11) and Lima, Peru (from Apr 13-22) in just over five weeks.
Bhaker, who performed well in the National Selection Trials, will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol and the women’s 25m pistol events, aiming for victories in both to kick off her season on a high note.
The other athletes from the Paris Olympics who have retained their positions in the team include Anish and Vijayveer Sidhu (men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol), Esha Singh (women’s 25m pistol), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Sift Kaur Samra and Shriyanka Sadangi (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Arjun Babuta (men’s 10m air rifle), Prithviraj Tondaiman (men’s trap), Anant Jeet Singh Naruka (men’s skeet), and Raiza Dhillon (women’s skeet).
A national camp before the team’s departure is slated to commence at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting range in Delhi on March 14.
Reflecting on the first Indian team after the successful Paris Olympics campaign, Kr. Sultan Singh, Secretary General of the NRAI, expressed, “India’s finest shooters will aim to conquer the world stage once more. The Government of India and the Ministry of Sports have greatly supported our preparations and training, and after a commendable performance in the Paris Olympics, the entire shooting community is tasked with elevating standards further. We are optimistic that those chosen for the international season openers will excel.”
The principal highlight on the ISSF calendar this year will be the World Championships scheduled for October (Shotgun) and November (Rifle/Pistol). There will be a total of three World Cup stages for each discipline, alongside two Junior World Cups, with the second to be hosted in New Delhi in September. Additionally, the 16th Asian Championships in Kazakhstan is also on the agenda for August.
