The ISSF World Cup Finals, set to take place at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, promises to be a high-stakes event, despite the absence of some of India’s Olympic shooting stars. With 131 top shooters, including eight of the 12 Olympic champions, the competition is expected to be intense, even though India’s three Olympic medallists—Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Swapnil Kusale—have opted out.
Olympic Champions return to range
The ISSF World Cup Finals will feature some of the top shooters from around the world, including Olympic champions like Liu Yukun and Nathan Hales. After taking a well-deserved break post their Paris 2024 triumphs, these champions are back in action. Liu Yukun, who spent his post-Olympic downtime fishing, and Nathan Hales, who finally had time for his childcare duties, are now preparing to compete at the World Cup Finals, a crucial event for maintaining their competitive edge.
Hales, reflecting on his limited preparation time, told Sportstar, “I will be hoping my Olympic training carries me through. The World Cup finals is an important tournament since it will give me a chance to compete with some of the top shooters in the world.”
Yukun also emphasised the significance of the event, saying, “The World Cup finals is a high-level international competition in this Olympic cycle. Several champions are coming here. This competition will be a good opportunity to compete with excellent shooters from around the world.”
Indian stars take pass
While 24 Indian shooters are set to participate, the absence of India’s Olympic medallists has raised some questions. Manu Bhaker, Sarabjot Singh, and Swapnil Kusale have chosen to sit out of the finals. Their decision has sparked speculation about their readiness for such a major competition so soon after the Olympics. However, many shooters, including those who medalled in Paris, are competing, regardless of preparation time.
According to Suma Shirur, coach of the Indian team at Chateauroux, the decision to participate or skip the event is a personal one. “I see this more as a season-ending competition than the first competition of a new cycle. I can see shooters participating in this competition if they feel there are aspects of their game that they want to check out before starting off-season preparation,” she said.
Arjun Babuta leads India’s Challenge
Arjun Babuta, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic bronze medal, will be leading India’s challenge in the men’s 10m air rifle event. Shirur explained why Babuta might want to compete: “He had an emotional finish to his event at the Olympics. He would probably want to finish his season on a positive note. That’s equally important if you want to start the new season with a new outlook.”
Crucial Step Towards 2028 LA Olympics
Despite some notable absences, the ISSF World Cup Finals remains a prestigious event and an important stepping stone in the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With top talent from around the world converging in New Delhi, the competition will serve as both a final challenge for some and a fresh start for others.
As the World Cup Finals get underway, the world will watch as Olympic champions and rising stars vie for top honours, making this an event that promises plenty of excitement.
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