Six Indian shooters set for ISSF shotgun showdown in Athens

India will field a strong six-member squad at the ISSF(International Shooting Sport Federation) World Championship for Shotgun, with seasoned Olympians Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Anantjeet Singh Naruka spearheading the country’s skeet challenge as competition begins in Athens on Friday.

The championship, one of the most prestigious events on the global shooting calendar, will see India’s best shotgun talent take on some of the world’s top marksmen and markswomen.

Men’s Team: Experience meets form

In the men’s skeet category, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, India’s most accomplished skeet shooter, brings immense experience and composure to the team. A two-time Olympian, Mairaj will aim to add a third ISSF individual medal to his illustrious career.

Joining him is Anantjeet Singh Naruka, the reigning Asian Champion, who has been in outstanding form. Naruka recently secured India’s Paris Olympic quota in skeet and will be one of the key contenders among the 121 shooters vying for top honours. The third member of the men’s contingent, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, completes the trio, adding youthful energy to the side.

The competition will be fierce, featuring legendary names like Vincent Hancock of the United States, a four-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion along with Conner Prince (Paris 2024 silver medallist), Eetu Kallioinen of Finland, and Azmy Mehelba of Egypt. The men’s field also includes world No. 1 Christian Elliott (USA), Chile’s Hector Andres Flores Barahona (world No. 3), and Jakub Tomecek (Czechia, world No. 4).

Women’s Team: Young guns on the rise

In the women’s skeet event, Olympian Raiza Dhillon will lead the Indian challenge alongside Ganemat Sekhon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal. Dhillon heads into the tournament on the back of a successful season, having bagged back-to-back silver medals at the Junior World Cups in Suhl and New Delhi, and finishing fifth at the senior Lima World Cup earlier this year.

Sekhon, a former Junior World Championship silver medallist, is chasing her third ISSF individual medal, while Dhaliwal will be keen to make her mark on the senior international stage.

The women’s event will see 63 competitors, including world No. 1 Samantha Simonton (USA), Dania Jo Vizzi (USA, world No. 3), Arina Kuznetsova (AIN, world No. 2), and home favourite Emmanouela Katzouraki (Greece, world No. 6). Veteran American Kimberly Rhode, a three-time Olympic champion, and China’s Jiang Yiting add depth to a highly competitive field.

The qualification rounds begin Friday, with shooters firing 50 targets each on the first two days, followed by 25 targets on October 12. After a total of 125 targets, the top six in each category will advance to the finals on Sunday.

With experience, form, and youthful firepower, India’s skeet shooters will aim to make a strong mark in Athens and bring home another world championship medal.