ISSF World Shooting Championships 2022: Top five Indian shooters to watch out for

The championship will begin on the 13th of October in Cairo, Egypt.

The ISSF World Shooting Championships Rifle and Pistol 2022 will begin on October 13 in Cairo, Egypt. The junior competition is held first, followed by the senior competition. The Shotgun World Championships were recently conducted in Osijek. The World Championship is India's first big competition since the Tokyo Olympics. They were unable to earn a medal despite their consistency in other international games.

The Indian team has taken on a whole different appearance as a result of this heartbreaking setback. Institutional changes have also occurred, such as the introduction of new coaches and a significant decrease in Indian shooters' participation in ISSF World Cups, which they once dominated. These competitions, however, are less competitive than the Olympics.

Gateway To The 2024 Paris Olympics

Notably, this event marks the start of the current Olympic cycle, with quota slots available for the 2024 Paris Games. There are 32 direct Olympic quota tickets available for each of the eight individual Olympic sports. Each event has four quota spaces, with each country receiving a maximum of two Olympic spots. India won a ticket in the trap after Bhowneesh Mendiratta finished fourth in the shotgun World Championships.

Talking about the 2022 ISSF World Championships in Cairo, India will have a 48-member squad across senior and junior disciplines. The absence of many veterans like Deepak Kumar and Abhishek Verma will be something that will worry the Indian fans. All eyes are on the young talents along with some experienced ace Indian shooters that might shine bright in the World Championships at Cairo.

So, let's take a look at some of the Indian shooters to watch out for in this year’s World Shooting Championship in Cairo, Egypt:

5. Vijay Kumar

The 37-year-old Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar will compete in his most significant competition since the London Olympics. According to PTI, he had a five-year break from competitive shooting due to a recurring shoulder issue before returning to the sport last year. After leaving the Army, he is currently a deputy superintendent of police at the Himachal Pradesh police headquarters in Shimla. Moreover, Vijay Kumar will be competing in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol along with Anish and Vijayveer Sindhu in the ISSF World Championships and is a solid medal contender.

4. Arjun Babuta

Arjun Babuta, a 23-year-old rifle shooter, has had an exceptional senior season after proving his worth at the junior-level shooting competitions. Moreover, he earned individual and team gold at the World Cup at Changwon in the 10m air rifle. He defeated Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Lucas Kozeniesky.

This youngster has too many expectations on his shoulders considering his talent. The talented 23-year-old will be competing in the 10m Air Rifle - Men. Along with him are  Kiran Jadhav and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil at the 2022 ISSF World Shooting Championship.

3. Anjum Moudgil

Anjum Moudgil, currently the world no.7 in the 50m rifles 3-positions women, who hails from Chandigarh, recently participated in the Gujarat National Games while preparing to excel in the World Championships that start on the 13th of October. This season, the 28-year-old Chandigarh shooter has been in fantastic form, putting the debacle at the Tokyo Olympics behind him. After winning silver and bronze in the World Cup, she is now ranked 7th in the world and has the best possible chances of winning a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions – Women event along with Sift Kaur Samra and Ashi Chouksey at the 2022 ISS World Shooting Championships.

2. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar

The 21-year-old shooter from Madhya Pradesh has already made his name at the international level. The star Indian shooter won gold at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in July 2022 in the 50m rifle 3-position event. The 21-year-old Indian shooter showed his class by overcoming the 2018 Youth Olympic gold medalist from Hungary, Zalan Peklar, 16-12, to win the championship.

The gold medal won by the shooter from Madhya Pradesh was India's fourth in the competition. After his magnificent performance at the ISSF Shooting World Cup, his eyes are now definitely on the ISSF World Championship’s gold medal. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar will compete in the 50m rifle 3-position event in this year along with Swapnil Kusale and Niraj Kumar.

1. Manu Bhaker

Indian ace shooter Manu Bhaker, who often participates in both the 10m and 25m pistol events, will be one of the players to watch out for in this year's World Shooting Championships. Manu Bhaker had a decent run in Tokyo 2020 for India finishing at 7th rank in the 10m air pistol mixed team events. She also secured 12th rank in the 10m air pistol women's individual event. Though Manu Bhaker was unsuccessful in winning a medal for her country her eyes will be on that World Championship podium.

Manu Bhaker will be representing India in the 25m sports pistol along with Rhythm Sangwan and Abhidnya Ashok Patil.