ISSF World Shooting Championships 2022: watch out for these five top Indian shooters

Digital Desk: The ISSF World Rifle and Pistol Championships 2022 will started from October 13 in Cairo, Egypt. The junior competition takes place first, then the senior competition. Osijek recently hosted the Shotgun World Championships. 

The World Championship is India's first major competition since the Olympics in Tokyo. Despite their regularity in prior international tournaments, they were unable to win a medal. 

As a result of this painful defeat, the Indian team has taken on a completely different appearance. Institutional changes, such as the introduction of new coaches, have also occurred, as has a major drop in Indian shooters' participation in ISSF World Cups, which they once dominated. However, these competitions are less competitive than the Olympics.

Notably, this tournament kicks off the current Olympic cycle, with quota slots available for the Paris Games in 2024. Each of the eight individual Olympic sports has 32 direct Olympic quota tickets available. 

Each event has four quota spots, with each country obtaining up to two Olympic spots. Bhowneesh Mendiratta finished fourth in the shotgun World Championships, earning India a spot in the trap.

In terms of the ISSF World Championships in Cairo in 2022, India will field a 48-member squad across senior and junior disciplines. The absence of numerous stalwarts, such as Deepak Kumar and Abhishek Verma, would worry Indian supporters. 

All eyes are on the youthful shooters, as well as those seasoned ace Indian shooters, who could shine well in the World Championships in Cairo.

1| Vijay Kumar : A 37-year-old Olympic silver medalist, will compete in his most important tournament since the London Olympics. He had a five-year vacation from professional shooting owing to a reoccurring shoulder injury. 

As reported,  before returning to the sport last year he is now a deputy superintendent of police at the Himachal Pradesh police headquarters in Shimla after leaving the Army. 

Furthermore, Vijay Kumar, along with Anish and Vijayveer Sindhu, will compete in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event at the ISSF World Championships and is a strong medal contender.

2|  Arjun Babuta: Babuta who is 23-year-old rifle shooter, had an outstanding senior season after establishing his worth in junior-level events. In addition, he won individual and team gold in the 10m air rifle at the World Cup in Changwon. Lucas Kozeniesky, the silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, was defeated. 

Given his talent, this youngster bears far too many expectations. The gifted 23-year-old will compete in the 10m Air Rifle - Men event. At the ISSF World Shooting Championship in 2022, he will be joined by Kiran Jadhav and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil.

3| Anjum Moudgil : The world no.7 in the 50m rifles 3-positions women, originates from Chandigarh and recently competed in the Gujarat National Games in preparation for the World Championships, which begin on October 13th. 

This season, the 28-year-old Chandigarh shooter has been in excellent form, putting his Olympic fiasco in Tokyo behind him. She is now rated seventh in the world after winning silver and bronze in the World Cup and has the best chance of winning a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions - Women event at the 2022 ISS World Shooting Championships alongside Sift Kaur Samra and Ashi Chouksey.

4| Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar: The 21-year-old Madhya Pradesh shooter has already created a name for himself on the world stage. The star Indian shooter won gold in the 50m rifle 3-position event at the ISSF Shooting World Cup in July 2022. The 21-year-old Indian shooter won the competition after defeating Hungary's 2018 Youth Olympic gold medalist, Zalan Peklar, 16-12. 

The gold medal won by the Madhya Pradesh shooter was India's fourth in the competition. Following his outstanding performance in the ISSF Shooting World Cup, his sights are set squarely on the gold medal at the ISSF World Championship. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale, and Niraj Kumar will compete in the 50m rifle 3-position event this year.

5| Manu Bhaker: Indian ace shooter who frequently competes in both the 10m and 25m pistol events, will be one of the players to watch in this year's World Shooting Championships. Manu Bhaker finished seventh in the 10m air pistol mixed team events for India at Tokyo 2020. She also finished 12th in the women's 10m air pistol solo event.

 Despite the fact that Manu Bhaker did not win a medal for her country, her sights will be set on the World Championship podium. 

Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan, and Abhidnya Ashok Patil will compete for India in the 25m sports pistol.