ISSF Shooting World Cup: A list of India's first-time medallists at New Delhi
There were nine Indians who finished on the podium for the first time in an international competition
India finished on a high in the recently concluded ISSF World Cup in New Delhi with 15 gold medals. They topped the medal tally with 30 medals -15 gold, nine silver and six bronze to mark their most successful campaign to date.
While prominent performers like Manu Bhaker, Divyansh Singh Panwar, Aishwary Pratap Singh, Anjum Moudgil proved their mettle once again, there were nine shooters who won a medal for the first time in their career.
Let us take a look at them.
Pankaj Kumar (Air Rifle Team Men)
The Indian team of Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Deepak Kumar and Pankaj Kumar clinched silver in Air Rifle Team men as they were beaten in the final by the United States (16-14).
Sunidhi Chauhan (50M 3 Position Mixed Team)
In the 50M 3P Mixed Team event, India bagged gold and bronze. While Sanjeev Rajput and Tejaswini Sawant won gold, Aishwary Pratap and Sunidhi Chauhan bagged bronze. They defeated the United States in the bronze medal match 31-15.
Shreya Saksena (50M 3 Position Team Women)
Anjum Moudgil, Shreya Saksena and Gaayathri Nithyanadam claimed silver in the 50M 3P Team Women, after they were narrowly beaten by Poland 47-43 in the final.
Swapnil Kusale (50M 3 Position Team Men)
The Indian team comprising of Swapnil Kusale, Chain Singh and Niraj Kumar won gold in the 50M 3P Team Men event after they got the better of the United States 47-25. Kusale is currently ranked No. 105 in the world.
Chinki Yadav (25 M Pistol Women)
The current world number one won gold in the 25M pistol event to clinch her first medal. She beat compatriot Rahi Sarnobat and Manu Bhaker to the top spot. She scored 32 in the final round.
Shri Nivetha Paramanantham (Air Pistol Team Women)
Yashaswini Singh Deswal, Shri Nivetha Paramanantham and Manu Bhaker won gold in the Air Pistol Team Women's event. They registered a comprehensive victory over Poland (16-8). Nivetha is currently ranked No. 12 in the world.
Prithviraj Tondaiman (Trap Team Men)
The Indian trap shooting team of Kynan Chenai, Prithviraj Tondaiman and Lakshay Lakshay won gold in the men's trap team event. They defeated Slovakia 6-4 to finish on top. Tondaiman is currently ranked No. 22 in his individual category.
Ganemat Sekhon (Women's skeet), Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Karttiki Singh Shaktawat (Skeet Team Women)
Ganemat Sekhon, Karttiki Singh Shaktawat and Parinaaz Dhaliwal won skeet women's team silver after losing 6-4 to Kazakhstan in the finals. Parinaaz and Karttiki are ranked No. 34 and No. 16 respectively in the world in their individual events.