India concluded a successful campaign at the ISSF World Cup Munich 2026 with another podium finish, as Olympian Manu Bhaker and rising shooter Samrat Rana secured a silver medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event after a gripping final against a formidable Chinese pairing.
The Indian duo came agonisingly close to claiming gold, eventually finishing just 0.3 points behind China’s world No. 1 combination of Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai. Despite leading during crucial stages of the contest, Manu and Samrat were unable to withstand a late surge from the reigning world champions, who produced a strong finish to secure the top step of the podium.
The silver medal ensured India ended the prestigious World Cup on a high note and capped off one of the country’s most encouraging performances of the season as preparations continue for major international events, including the World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
The gold-medal match was a contest of momentum swings and nerves under pressure. The Indian pair endured a slow start and found themselves trailing early against the experienced Chinese duo. However, Manu and Samrat gradually settled into their rhythm and produced an excellent response in the second and third series to move back into contention.
Their consistency and composure allowed them to steadily reduce the deficit. Midway through the final, the Indians had narrowed the gap to just 0.1 points, setting up a tense battle for the title.
The momentum then swung decisively in India’s favour during the elimination phase. A series of high-quality shots helped Manu and Samrat establish a lead of 2.2 points, putting them in a strong position to challenge for gold. At that stage, the Indian camp appeared on course for another major triumph.
However, the Chinese pair demonstrated why they are regarded as the world’s best. Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai responded with remarkable precision under pressure, producing a string of strong scores while India struggled to maintain the same consistency. As the final entered its decisive moments, China gradually erased the deficit and edged ahead. Despite a determined late effort from the Indian duo, the comeback fell just short, with the Chinese pair ultimately prevailing by a narrow margin.
While the result denied India a third gold medal of the competition, the silver medal reflected the high standard of shooting displayed by Manu and Samrat throughout the event.
The Indian pair had earned their place in the final after an impressive performance in qualification. Both shooters maintained consistency across their series to comfortably advance to the medal round. Their teamwork and ability to deliver under pressure were evident throughout the qualification stage, laying the foundation for their eventual podium finish.
India’s second mixed pistol team of Suruchi Singh and Shravan Kumar also delivered a respectable performance but narrowly missed out on medal contention. The pair finished 10th overall with a combined score of 575-20x. India’s mixed rifle teams were unable to replicate the success achieved by the pistol shooters. The experienced combination of Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta finished 14th in qualification, while Arya Borse and Shahu Tushar Mane ended the competition in 16th place.
The rifle event was dominated by China, whose Olympic champions Wang Zifei and Sheng Lihao continued their outstanding form by winning the gold medal.
Although India signed off with silver on the final day, the defining moment of the World Cup came earlier in the week through Esha Singh’s remarkable achievement in the women’s 25m pistol event. The young Indian shooter produced one of the finest performances of her career, setting a new world record score of 43 hits in the final to win the gold medal. In doing so, she surpassed the previous world record and underlined her status as one of the brightest talents in international shooting.
The achievement not only earned India a gold medal but also sent a strong message ahead of upcoming global competitions. India’s medal-winning performances throughout the tournament highlighted the depth emerging within the national shooting programme. Alongside established stars such as Manu Bhaker, a new generation of shooters continues to make its mark on the world stage.
The silver medal in the mixed team pistol event helped India finish second in the overall medal standings at the ISSF World Cup Munich. India ended the competition with four medals, including two gold and two silver medals, placing behind only China, which topped the table with four gold and three bronze medals.
The result represents another significant achievement for Indian shooting, which has consistently remained among the strongest nations in international competition over the past decade.
For Manu Bhaker, the silver medal marked another important addition to an already decorated international career. Since becoming one of India’s most successful shooters, she has continued to be a key figure in the national setup and remains central to India’s Olympic ambitions. Meanwhile, Samrat Rana’s performance alongside the experienced Manu highlighted the emergence of another promising talent capable of competing against the world’s best.
As the international season progresses, India’s shooters will take confidence from their performances in Munich. The combination of experienced champions and talented young athletes has once again demonstrated its ability to challenge powerhouse nations such as China on the biggest stages.
With four medals, a world record, and a second-place finish in the overall standings, the ISSF World Cup Munich 2026 will be remembered as another successful chapter in India’s growing reputation as a global shooting powerhouse.
