The ISSF World Cup Final 2024 in New Delhi brought significant pride to India as two of its promising shooters, Sonam Maskar and Akhil Sheoran, displayed outstanding performances. Their hard-earned medals not only added to India’s shooting legacy but also marked significant milestones in their individual careers.
Sonam Maskar: A Rising Star
Sonam Maskar, at just 22 years old, secured the silver medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event. Competing against the world’s best, she shot a remarkable 252.9 points in the final. Though she narrowly missed out on the gold to China’s Yuting Huang, who scored 254.4, Sonam’s silver was a testimony to her resilience, sharp focus, and the result of years of dedicated training.
For Sonam, this medal holds special significance. Competing on home soil always comes with added pressure, but she handled it with maturity and grace. Her consistency in the qualification rounds and her precision in the final highlighted her status as one of India’s shooting stars to watch in the future.
Akhil Sheoran: A Journey to Bronze
On Wednesday, India’s Akhil Sheoran bagged a bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, a highly challenging discipline that requires mastery over three shooting styles – kneeling, prone, and standing. Sheoran, aged 29, showcased his versatility across these positions, scoring an impressive 452.6. Competing against experienced international shooters, Sheoran’s performance earned him a place on the podium, adding another accolade to his growing list of achievements.
What made this bronze special was that it marked Sheoran’s first-ever ISSF World Cup Final medal. Known for his stellar performance at the Asian Games last year, where he was part of the gold medal-winning team, Sheoran has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure environments. His latest achievement cements his place as one of India’s leading rifle shooters.
The ISSF: A Hub for International Shooting Excellence
The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) is the governing body responsible for overseeing the Olympic shooting sports. Founded in 1907, the ISSF has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern landscape of competitive shooting. It organises major international events, including the ISSF World Cups, which are a series of competitions held annually, and the ISSF World Cup Final, where the top-ranked shooters from across the world compete.
The ISSF World Cup Final is distinct in that it brings together the best of the best – the finest shooters from the World Cup series, Olympic Games, and world championships. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the shooting calendar, where only the elite make it to the final stage. Winning a medal here signifies that the athlete is at the pinnacle of their sport.
The ISSF promotes shooting disciplines that fall under three broad categories: rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Each of these categories is further divided into different events, testing various aspects of a shooter’s skills – precision, consistency, and mental strength.
A Celebration
As the nation celebrates these victories, the stage is set for even greater accomplishments in the future. With their determination and skill, Sonam and Akhil are not just winning medals – they are inspiring a new generation of athletes to aim higher and shoot for excellence.
These victories in New Delhi will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Indian shooters, and with the 2024 Olympics fresh in memory, the momentum built by these athletes will only continue to grow.
The Momma Clan 
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