A 69-member Indian squad, led by Olympian Raiza Dhillon and Asian junior trap champion Sabeera Haris, will look to dominate at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025, beginning Thursday at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in Tughlakabad.
Big stage for young talent
The week-long competition, scheduled from September 24 to October 2, will see 208 shooters under the age of 21 from 18 countries battle for 51 medals across 15 Olympic and two non-Olympic disciplines. India fields the largest contingent with 69 athletes, followed by the USA (20), Italy (10), Czechia (9), and Iran (8). A group of 40 neutral athletes (AIN) will also compete.
Spotlight on Raiza Dhillon
Raiza, who was the youngest Indian shooter at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has already established herself among the country’s brightest prospects. She will be aiming for an individual medal after earlier successes, including a team gold at the 2021 Junior World Championships in Lima. Alongside her, Sabeera Haris will look to carry her winning form from the Asian Junior Championships into the global stage.
India’s recent record
India topped the medal tally in the season’s first Junior World Cup held in Suhl, Germany, with 11 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze). The hosts will look to replicate that feat at home with a mix of experienced names and promising debutants. Among those in focus are Suhl gold medallists Shambhavi Kshirsagar and Tejaswani, as well as bronze winners Naraen Pranav and Adriyan Karmakar.
Opening day schedule
The official opening ceremony will be held on Thursday evening, followed by the first set of finals in the men’s and women’s 50m Rifle Prone events, which will decide the initial medal winners of the tournament.
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