Cairo, Egypt : India’s Prachi Gaikwad delivered a standout performance at the ISSF Junior World Cup (Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun) on April 23, clinching the gold medal in the Women’s 50 m Rifle 3-Positions final. Gaikwad fired a final score of 354.6, edging out Darya Chuprys (AIN) on the final shots in a tightly contested duel. Gaikwad’s precision across kneeling, prone, and standing phases underscored her tactical prowess against a competitive field.
Her victory marked one of India’s three gold medals on the day and contributed to a growing medals total for the Indian squad, which included multiple silvers and bronze podium finishes by junior shooters.
Vanshika Chaudhary Tops 10m Air Pistol Final
In the Women’s 10 m Air Pistol event, Vanshika Chaudhary showcased composure and technical skill by claiming gold with a final score of 241.3. Chaudhary outpaced fellow Indian qualifier Sejal Kamble (239.6), securing a 1-2 finish for India. Both shooters entered the final with strong qualification scores (Vanshika: 579; Sejal: 577), setting the stage for an intense medal round.
This gold marked Vanshika’s first ISSF Junior World Cup title and builds on her promising performances earlier in the season, reinforcing India’s strength in the junior shooting arena.
Medal Tally Strengthens India’s Position
The combined success of Gaikwad and Chaudhary elevated India’s overall medal count at the championships to double digits, including three gold medals, several silver and bronze medals, and robust performances across rifle and pistol disciplines. This result further confirms India’s emerging dominance in junior shooting sports.
Motor Racing: Kush Maini Completes Alpine Formula 1 Test
Zandvoort Test Session Marks Milestone for Indian Racer
Amsterdam, Netherlands — Indian racing driver Kush Maini (Age 25) successfully completed his first official Formula 1 test session of the 2026 season with the BWT Alpine F1 Team at Circuit Zandvoort on April 22-23. Maini operated the Alpine A521 under the Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, completing an impressive 193 laps and covering 822 km over the two-day, closed-door trial.
Maini retains his role as Test and Reserve Driver with Alpine for the 2026 season while continuing his campaign in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. His efforts at Zandvoort provide valuable seat time and are expected to bolster both his confidence and technical feedback contributions to the team.
Driver Perspective: Confidence & Momentum
“Great to be back in the F1 car after a break in the Formula 2 season. I’m incredibly grateful to Alpine for the opportunity,” Maini said in a team release. “Getting into an F1 car is always a huge confidence boost, and I’m looking to carry this momentum into Miami as we resume the F2 season.”
With the FIA Formula 2 Championship scheduled to resume in Miami next week, Maini now shifts his focus back to full-season competition while leveraging the experience gained in F1 machinery.
Strategic Implications for Indian Motorsport
Maini’s test outing coincides with renewed interest from Indian sports and government stakeholders in bringing Formula 1 racing back to India, reflecting the nation’s broader ambition to deepen its footprint in global motorsport. His progress aligns with this momentum, illustrating how individual performance on the international stage can amplify India’s presence in one of the world’s most competitive sports.
ISSF Junior World Cup: Indian shooters will continue to compete in remaining rifle, pistol, and shotgun finals, with prospects for further medals as the championships progress.
Formula 2 & F1 Aspirations: Kush Maini resumes his FIA Formula 2 campaign in Miami, aiming to translate his Alpine F1 test experience into strong results that further his motorsport trajectory.
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