India has significantly strengthened its position at the top of the medal table at the ISSF Junior World Championships 2024, held in Peru, with remarkable performances by its young shooters. Kushi's hard-fought bronze medal in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event was a standout achievement on October 2. She qualified for the final with determination and finished third, scoring 447.3 points. This victory added to India's impressive tally of 15 medals, comprising 10 gold, one silver, and four bronze, keeping the country firmly in the lead of the standings.
In the final of the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, Kushi faced tough competition from Norway’s Caroline Lund and Synnoeve Berg, who clinched silver and gold, respectively, with scores of 458.3 and 458.4. While Kushi secured her podium finish, the Indian women's 3P team, consisting of Sakshi Padekar, Melvina Joel Gladson, and Prachi Gaekwad, finished fifth with a total score of 1757.
Earlier in the championships, Divanshi had also shone brightly, winning gold in the women's 25m pistol event. She not only excelled individually but also contributed to her team's success, winning gold alongside teammates Tejaswani and Vibhuti Bhatia in the team event. This marked the third gold medal for the women’s team in the competition, underscoring their exceptional performance.
India's shooting prowess was further highlighted by the achievements of Kanishka Dagar, Lakshita Lakshita, and Anjali Chaudhary, who won gold in the women’s 10m air pistol team event. Additionally, Gautami Bhanot, Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar, and Anushka Thokur clinched gold in the women’s 10m air rifle team event, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian shooting sports.
The men's category also saw impressive performances, with Mukesh Nelavalli winning gold in both the junior men’s individual 25m pistol event and the team event alongside Suraj Sharma and Pradhyumn Singh. Parth Rakesh Mane made headlines by being crowned junior world champion in the 10m air rifle event and also led his team, which included Ajay Malik and Abhinav Shaw, to another gold medal in the team competition.
India's rifle and pistol shooters not only excelled in individual events but also showcased their strength in mixed team competitions, securing medals across both the 10m air rifle and air pistol categories. The success at the ISSF Junior World Championships highlights the country's growing prominence in the sport of shooting, with young athletes making a mark on the global stage.
Summary of Indian Medal Winners:
Gold Medals:
- Parth Rakesh Mane: Men's 10m Air Rifle Individual
- Ajay Malik, Parth Rakesh Mane & Abhinav Shaw: Men's 10m Air Rifle Team
- Shourya Saini, Vedant Nitin Waghmare & Parikshit Singh: Men's 50m Rifle 3 Position Team
- Umesh Choudhary, Mukesh Nelavalli & Parmod Parmod: Men's 10m Air Pistol Team
- Mukesh Nelavalli: Men's 25m Pistol Individual
- Mukesh Nelavalli, Suraj Sharma & Pradhyumn Singh: Men's 25m Pistol Team
- Gautami Bhanot, Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar & Anushka Thokur: Women's 10m Air Rifle Team
- Kanishka Dagar, Lakshita Lakshita & Anjali Chaudhary: Women's 10m Air Pistol Team
- Divanshi: Women's 25m Pistol Individual
- Divanshi, Tejaswani & Vibhuti Bhatia: Women's 25m Pistol Team
Silver Medals:
- Suraj Sharma: Men's 25m Pistol Individual
Bronze Medals:
- Kanak: Women's 10m Air Pistol Individual
- Kushi: Women's 50m Rifle 3 Position Individual
- Gautami Bhanot & Ajay Malik: Mixed 10m Air Rifle Team
- Lakshita & Parmod: Mixed 10m Air Pistol Team
This impressive medal tally not only reflects the hard work and dedication of the athletes but also sets a promising foundation for India's future in shooting sports on the international stage.
