Cairo [Egypt]: Paris 2024 medallists Manu Bhaker and Swapnil Kusale will headline India’s 40-member squad for the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol 2025, which begins in Cairo on Thursday, according to Olympics.com.
The championship will feature 720 shooters from 72 federations, with events being held at the Egypt International Olympic City. The competition will run until November 17.
Indian rifle and pistol shooters have displayed remarkable consistency this year across the World Cup circuit — winning eight medals in Buenos Aires, seven in Lima, four in Munich, and two in Ningbo.
Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who bagged a silver in Lima and three bronze medals at the 2025 Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, will spearhead India’s pistol lineup. She will be supported by Esha Singh and Suruchi Singh, both in top form, with Esha notably clinching three consecutive golds in the women’s 10m air pistol event.
In the rifle events, 2022 world champion Rudrankksh Patil will compete in his signature 10m air rifle, having opened his season with a gold in Buenos Aires.
Meanwhile, Swapnil Kusale, who earned a bronze at the Paris Olympics, will lead India’s challenge in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, aiming to build on his strong international performances.
The Indian contingent also features seasoned shooters including Elavenil Valarivan (women’s 10m air rifle), Sift Kaur Samra (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Arjun Babuta (men’s 10m air rifle), Anish Bhanwala (men’s 25m pistol), and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions).
