India's shooting scene is witnessing a surge of talented junior athletes emerging from diverse corners of the country, driven by passion, dedication, and access to better training facilities. These young talents are making their mark on the national and international stage, fueled by the inspiration drawn from the success of Indian shooters at the Olympic Games and other prestigious events.

Inspiration and Emerging Talents

The influence of Olympic champions like Neeraj Chopra extends beyond their own sports, inspiring youngsters like Rohit Kanyan to pursue their athletic dreams. Kanyan, after witnessing Chopra's gold medal victory, sought a sports academy and found his calling in shooting. Similarly, Deependra Singh Shekhawat transitioned from swimming to shooting, recognizing the promising future the sport holds. Anushka Thokur's journey began with her father's observation of her aiming skills, leading her to a shooting range and eventually to Gagan Narang's Gun For Glory academy in Chennai.

These stories exemplify how shooting is attracting sporting talent from all over India. Several young Indian shooters are poised to make a mark at the ISSF Junior World Cup, which began recently at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. Among them are Abhinav Shaw, the 2023 junior world champion in air rifle; Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar, a Suhl World Cup gold medalist in the 10m air rifle; Tejaswani, another Suhl gold medalist in the 25m air pistol; Raiza Dhillon, a Suhl silver medalist in skeet and Olympian; and Adriyan Karmakar, who has excelled in 50m 3P and prone events.

Infrastructure and Support Systems

The rise of junior shooting talent in India is supported by the increasing availability of shooting ranges, dedicated coaches at various levels, and a well-defined pathway to the top charted by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). The NRAI organizes several tournaments each year, including the National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) and the All India G.V. Mavlankar Shooting Championship (AIGVMSC).

Several shooting academies across the country play a crucial role in nurturing young talents. The Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation (GNSPF), founded by Olympic medalist Gagan Narang, and Gun for Glory Shooting Academy are premier institutions providing world-class training facilities and expert coaching. Other notable academies include the Champion Shooting Academy in Delhi, Lakshya Shooting Club, and Ziel Shooting Academy. These academies offer comprehensive training programs, sports science support, and personalized coaching to help shooters develop their skills and achieve their goals.

Recent Performances and Future Prospects

Indian junior shooters have been consistently performing well in international events. At the first ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany, India topped the medal tally with three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals. They carried this momentum into the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan in August.

The ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 in New Delhi features 208 shooters from 18 countries, competing in 15 Olympic and two non-Olympic disciplines. The Indian contingent comprises 69 athletes, including Olympian Raiza Dhillon and Asian trap champion Sabeera Haris. On the first day of the World Cup, Indian shooters showcased their dominance by winning five medals, including a clean sweep in the women's 50m rifle prone event. Anushka Thokur, fresh from her Asian Championships gold, won the gold medal, followed by Anshika and Aadhya Agrawal who secured the silver and bronze medals respectively. In the men's 50m rifle prone, Deependra Singh Shekhawat and Rohit Kanyan won silver and bronze medals respectively.

With a strong foundation, dedicated coaches, and a clear pathway to success, India's junior shooting talents are well-positioned to excel in the sport and bring glory to the nation. The challenge for these young shooters will be to maintain consistency and make a smooth transition to the senior level.