India’s emerging shooting stars continued their impressive rise on the international stage as Sejal Kamble delivered a commanding performance to win the gold medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF Junior World Championships 2026 in Suhl, Germany. The young shooter showcased remarkable composure throughout the final to secure her maiden junior world title, leading an outstanding Indian display that also saw compatriot Himanshi claim a bronze medal.
The result added another significant achievement to India’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading shooting nations. Over the past few years, Indian shooters have consistently produced strong performances at junior and senior international competitions, and Kamble’s triumph further underlined the strength of the country’s talent pipeline.
Competing against some of the best junior shooters from around the globe, Kamble maintained her consistency through every stage of the final. She eventually finished with an impressive score of 240.2 points, comfortably ahead of Bulgaria’s Maria Encheva Atanasova, who secured the silver medal. The Indian shooter finished 4.4 points clear of her nearest rival, highlighting the level of control and precision she displayed under pressure.
The final proved particularly memorable for India as two athletes stepped onto the podium. Himanshi fought hard throughout the competition and eventually earned the bronze medal with a score of 217.6. Her campaign came agonisingly close to a silver medal finish after she found herself tied with Atanasova following the sixth elimination round. However, the Bulgarian edged ahead in the subsequent shoot-off, leaving Himanshi with bronze but plenty of reasons to be proud of her performance.
India almost completed a remarkable clean sweep of the podium positions. Vanshika, the third Indian finalist, finished fourth with a score of 191.3 after remaining in contention during the early stages of the final. The presence of three Indian shooters among the leading contenders highlighted the depth of talent within the national junior shooting programme.
The success was built on a strong showing in qualification earlier in the day. Himanshi emerged as the best-performing Indian shooter in the qualification round, finishing third overall with a score of 574. Kamble followed closely behind with 573, while Vanshika qualified in fifth position after posting a score of 572. All three Indians comfortably progressed to the medal round, setting the stage for a memorable final.
For Kamble, the world title marks the latest milestone in what has been a breakthrough year. The Maharashtra shooter has steadily established herself among India’s brightest young pistol talents through a series of strong international performances. Earlier this season, she produced an impressive showing at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo, where she reached the final of the women’s 10m air pistol event and secured a podium finish against a competitive international field.
Her versatility has also been evident across pistol disciplines. Kamble has impressed not only in the 10m air pistol category but also in the 25m pistol event, where she has delivered strong qualification performances at international competitions. Such consistency has made her one of the most promising names in India’s next generation of shooters.
The victory also reflects the broader progress of Indian shooting. The country has enjoyed considerable success on the global circuit in recent months, with athletes such as Esha Singh, Suruchi Singh and several junior competitors regularly winning medals at ISSF events. Indian shooters have increasingly challenged traditional powerhouses such as China, South Korea and Germany, creating a strong foundation ahead of future Olympic cycles.
The ISSF Junior World Championships are widely regarded as one of the most important events for identifying future stars of the sport. Many Olympic and world champions have previously used the competition as a launching pad for their senior careers. Kamble’s performance in Suhl suggests she possesses both the technical ability and mental resilience required to succeed at the highest level.
With the gold medal now around her neck, the young Indian shooter has announced herself as a serious prospect for the future. Her dominant display in Germany not only earned her a world title but also provided another reminder of the strength and depth of Indian shooting.
As India continues its campaign at the Junior World Championships, Kamble’s victory will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for her teammates. For now, however, the spotlight belongs to the teenager who stood tallest in Suhl and delivered yet another golden moment for Indian sport on the world stage.
