At the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, Sonam Uttam Maskar and Elavenil Valarivan advanced to the women's 10m air rifle final, marking a strong showing for Indian shooting. Elavenil finished sixth with 632.8, comfortably advancing to the final. However, neither managed to clinch a medal. In the final round, Sonam placed fifth, while Elavenil finished in sixth position.
The podium was dominated by Chinese and Japanese shooters. Du Yuchen of China, a 16-year-old rising star, took gold with a total score of 254.6. Nobata Misaki of Japan earned silver, and Han Jiayu of China claimed bronze, giving China a double podium finish. The result highlighted the strength of the host nation, while India's pair were left out of the medals despite their strong showing in the qualification stage.
India's Silver in Air Pistol
India's sole medal at the event came from Sainyam, who earned silver in the women's 10m air pistol on Friday. Competing under intense pressure, Sainyam delivered a steady performance, finishing the final with a score of 243.4 against a formidable field. Her achievement marked the first medal of the competition for India. Meanwhile, China leads the overall medal tally with 11, including four golds, three silvers, and four bronzes. Germany and the United States are tied for second place, each with one gold and one silver, while Great Britain and Qatar each have one gold medal.
Growth and Challenges for Indian Shooting
The strong performances of Sonam and Elavenil in the women's 10m air rifle reflect the continued progress of Indian shooting. Both athletes have demonstrated consistency on the international stage. Elavenil, a two-time Olympian and multiple-time World Cup gold medallist, added to her impressive resume by reaching another World Cup final, following her two golds at the Asian Championships in New Delhi earlier this year. Sonam, who earned silver at the 2024 ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi, continues to rise in prominence. Their efforts highlight India's growing presence in the global shooting scene, despite the challenges posed by fierce international competition.
So far at the ISSF World Cup, a total of 24 medals have been awarded across the first eight events. India remains tied for sixth in the overall medal count with one silver, the only medal the nation has secured thus far. As the competition progresses, the performances of Indian shooters like Sonam, Elavenil, and Sainyam will be closely watched to gauge the country's potential to build on its current achievements and increase its medal tally.