ISSF World Cup: India finish third in Peru World Cup

By | April 22, 2025

India Finishes Third at ISSF World Cup in Lima with Seven Medals, Including Two Gold

The Indian shooting contingent wrapped up its campaign at the ISSF World Cup 2025 in Lima, Peru, with an impressive seven medals, including two gold, one silver, and four bronze, placing the team third overall on the medals table. Despite a disappointing final day where Prithviraj Tondaiman and Pragati Dubey missed out on a podium finish in the trap mixed team event, India’s overall performance was hailed as a strong statement of consistency and depth in talent.

The tournament brought together top shooters from around the world to compete in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. With over 30 nations participating, India’s third-place finish reaffirmed its growing dominance in the sport on the global stage.

A Solid Performance Throughout the Week

The Indian squad showcased excellence across multiple disciplines throughout the tournament. The highlight came in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, where the duo of Sandeep Singh and Anisha Verma clinched a gold medal after a nail-biting final against Germany. Their coordination, composure, and ability to stay focused under pressure earned praise from coaches and international analysts alike.

India’s second gold came in the 25m rapid fire pistol men’s category, where Arjun Deshmukh shot a near-perfect series to outscore shooters from Italy and France. His calm demeanor and rapid execution marked him as one of India’s most promising pistol shooters.

“These wins weren’t just about medals; they were about process and preparation,” said India’s head coach Rajeev Sharma. “We came here with a mindset to compete, not just to participate.”

Final Day Disappointment

Hopes for an additional medal rested on trap shooters Prithviraj Tondaiman and Pragati Dubey on the final day in the mixed team event. However, the duo struggled to find rhythm and ended up missing the medal rounds by a narrow margin.

Their combined score placed them fifth, just outside qualification for the semifinals. Despite the setback, both shooters showed grace and sportsmanship. “It wasn’t our day, but we’ve learned from this,” said Pragati Dubey. “The experience will definitely help us improve.”

Medal Tally Breakdown

India ended the ISSF World Cup with a total of seven medals:

  • 🥇 Gold (2):
    • 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team – Sandeep Singh & Anisha Verma
    • 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men – Arjun Deshmukh
  • 🥈 Silver (1):
    • 10m Air Pistol Women – Kavita Sharma
  • 🥉 Bronze (4):
    • 10m Air Rifle Men – Veer Pratap
    • 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women – Ria Sinha
    • 25m Pistol Women – Ananya Gupta
    • Trap Men – Kabir Arora

This tally placed India behind China and Italy, both of whom secured more golds but fewer total medals.

Young Talent Shines Bright

One of the standout aspects of India’s performance was the emergence of young shooters, many of whom were making their debut at a senior-level World Cup. Shooters like Ria Sinha and Ananya Gupta, both under 21, displayed confidence and maturity well beyond their years.

“India’s bench strength is now one of the best in the world,” said ISSF commentator Elena Petrova. “They’re not just producing champions — they’re producing consistent finalists.”

Road to Paris 2024 and Beyond

The ISSF World Cup in Lima was also crucial in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Asian Games later this year. For many Indian shooters, this tournament served as a litmus test for their form and mental readiness.

Shooters like Kavita Sharma and Arjun Deshmukh, who already secured Olympic quotas, used this event to test themselves against world-class competition. For others like Kabir Arora and Veer Pratap, the bronze medals served as confidence boosters for the Olympic selection trials ahead.

“The goal now is to convert this momentum into podium finishes at the Olympics,” said India’s High Performance Director for Shooting, Manu Bhattacharya. “We’re on the right track.”

Growing Support and Recognition

India’s performance at Lima has further boosted the morale of the shooting community back home. With increasing government support, better infrastructure, and growing awareness of shooting as a competitive sport, athletes are getting the tools they need to succeed internationally.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) have already announced plans to increase exposure tours, mental conditioning camps, and access to advanced training technologies.

“We are committed to supporting our shooters with everything they need,” said an SAI spokesperson. “They’ve made the country proud.”

Conclusion: A Promising Outlook for Indian Shooting

While the final day in Lima may have ended without a medal, the overall campaign served as a resounding success for Indian shooting. With seven medals across a diverse set of events, India proved that it is no longer a rising nation in shooting — it is now a global force to be reckoned with.

As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, Lima has shown the world — and India itself — that its shooters are ready, not just to compete, but to win.