India Shine at ISSF Junior World Cup: Narwal Strikes Gold, Chirag Sharma Bags Bronze

India enjoyed a strong start at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo as shooter Shiva Narwal clinched gold in the men’s 10m air pistol event, while Chirag Sharma added bronze, completing a double podium finish for the country. The opening day also brought a silver from Panaah Bhugra in the women’s 10m air rifle, taking India’s total to three medals across events.

Returning to the international stage after a break, Shiva Narwal showed sharp form right from qualification, topping the standings with a score of 576. In the final, he maintained his composure under pressure to finish with 241.8 points , edging out Uzbekistan’s Sodikjon Abdullaev, who took silver. Chirag Sharma secured bronze with 218.9, ensuring India’s presence on the podium twice in the same event.

India’s depth in the category was further reflected by Abhinav Deshwal , who also scored 576 in qualification but finished seventh in the final with 136.7 after a tough shootout.

In the women’s 10m air rifle event, Panaah Bhugra produced a steady performance after qualifying with 629.4. She stayed consistent through the final series and secured the silver medal with 250.6 , finishing behind France’s Anceline Brackman, who won gold with 252.0. Helena Ecale claimed bronze.

India’s Shambhavi Kshirsagar, who had topped qualification with an impressive 634.0, narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth. Anvii Rathod placed sixth, while Manyata Singh, despite a strong qualification score, could not advance due to the rule limiting three shooters per country in the final.

With a gold, silver and bronze on Day 1, India made a confident and encouraging start to their campaign in Cairo.