Sainyam, a former junior world and Asian champion, achieved her best performance at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol leg in Spain by securing fifth place in the women’s 10m air pistol final with a score of 178.9. Another standout, reigning Asian Games champion Palak, finished seventh in the same event with a score of 137.9, ending her run after the 14th shot.
In the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol event, Olympian Vijayveer Sidhu led the Indian contingent with a 23rd place finish, scoring 576. Among other Indian hopefuls, Ankur Goel ranked 29th with 572 points, and Neeraj Kumar secured 40th place with a score of 565.
Unfortunately, all three Indian participants in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) competition at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Spain failed to advance past the qualification stage. Surabhi Bharadwaj Rapole and Olympian Anjum Moudgil both scored 587, landing in 18th and 19th positions, while Ayushi Podder finished 27th with a score of 585.
In the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol event, Ankur Goel led the Indian charge with a score of 289 after the first stage precision round. Olympian Vijayveer Sidhu and Neeraj Kumar followed closely with scores of 287 and 282, respectively, setting the stage for the final qualification round.
Reigning Asian Games champion Palak is set to compete alongside Mukesh Nelavalli in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, while India’s representation in the air rifle mixed team event includes Sonam Uttam Maskar, Gajanan Shahdev Khandagale, Shruti, and Arshdeep Singh. The Indian team, comprising top-ranked shooters, is poised as a strong contender in the tournament.
The Granada World Cup serves as the international season opener for many shooters, including those from China, with a significant 22-member squad participating, including three reigning Olympic champions.
