Manu Bhaker Leads India’s Doha Challenge as 36 LA28 Quotas Go Up for Grabs
The ISSF World Championship 2026 gets underway in Doha, Qatar, on November 1, bringing together leading shooters from around the world. The championship will feature rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions, with 36 Olympic quota places available for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will lead India’s 54-member contingent alongside Asian Games shooting star Neeru Dhanda. India will compete across all 12 individual Olympic shooting events, with 35 shooters representing the country in these disciplines.
The championship will be an important test for international shooting stars as they begin their journey towards LA28. Apart from the Olympic qualification race, athletes will also be looking to secure individual world titles and establish themselves among the best shooters in their respective events.
Manu Bhaker and Neeru Dhanda Lead India’s Challenge
Manu Bhaker will compete in the women’s 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol events. Neeru Dhanda enters the championship after an impressive 2026 Asian Games campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, where she secured two gold medals and a silver in trap shooting.
Asian Games mixed-team 10m Air Pistol gold medallists Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Sohlot will also represent India. Elavenil Valarivan and Himanshu Dhillon, both Asian Games silver medallists, will strengthen the rifle contingent.
Other prominent Indian shooters include Esha Singh, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anjum Moudgil, Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Samrat Rana and Varun Tomar.
Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale is also part of the Indian contingent and will compete in the non-Olympic men’s 50m Rifle Prone event.
India will be aiming to make a strong impression across all three disciplines. With experienced Olympians and emerging international performers in the squad, the championship offers an opportunity for Indian shooters to test themselves against the world’s strongest competitors.
ISSF World Championship 2026: Key Dates and Schedule
The championship will run until November 14, with competitions across three shooting disciplines.
November 2: Opening ceremony.
November 3: Men’s and women’s 10m Air Rifle finals.
November 4–7: Rifle, pistol and skeet competitions, including mixed-team events.
November 8–11: 50m Rifle 3 Positions and 25m Pistol competitions.
November 12: Men’s and women’s Trap finals.
November 13: Trap Mixed Team final.
November 14: Departure of delegations.
The championship also includes non-Olympic events such as 50m Rifle Prone, 50m Pistol, 25m Standard Pistol and 25m Centre Fire Pistol.
36 Olympic Quota Places Available for LA28
One of the biggest attractions of the Doha championship is the opportunity to secure Olympic quota places for Los Angeles 2028.
A total of 36 quota places will be distributed across 12 individual Olympic shooting events, with three places available in each event. The qualification programme covers men’s and women’s rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions.
The quota places will be allocated to National Olympic Committees (NOCs), meaning an athlete earning a quota does not automatically guarantee their Olympic selection. Final participation will depend on the respective national federation’s selection process and Olympic qualification requirements.
For shooting nations, the Doha championship represents an important early opportunity to strengthen their position in the LA28 qualification race. Performances in the individual events will be closely watched as athletes look to combine world championship success with Olympic qualification.
ISSF World Championship Doha 2026: Results and Updates
With the championship beginning on November 1, the opening days will feature training and preparation before the main medal competitions begin. Final scores, medal winners and championship records will emerge as the events progress.
Fans will be closely following the performances of leading international shooters, particularly in the 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, Skeet and Trap events. India’s campaign will also attract attention as Manu Bhaker and other leading shooters look to deliver strong performances on the international stage.
The Doha championship marks an important beginning to the road to Los Angeles 2028, with India’s leading shooters looking to make an early impact in the Olympic qualification race.
