India top ISSF Junior World Championship medal tally with 24 medals

India emerged as the most successful nation at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2026 in Suhl, Germany, finishing on top of the medal standings with an impressive haul of 24 medals.

The Indian contingent ended its campaign with seven gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals, underlining the country's growing depth in junior shooting across rifle and pistol disciplines.

India's campaign began on a high with Sejal Kamble winning gold in the women's 10m air pistol event, while Himanshi claimed bronze. Sejal then teamed up with Vanshika Choudhary and Navya Bishnoi to secure another gold in the women's team competition.

The gold medals continued to flow as Sameer triumphed in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol, Rohit Kanyan won the men's 50m rifle three positions title, Pritam Kendre topped the podium in the men's 10m air rifle, Abhinav Deshwal claimed the men's 25m standard pistol crown, and Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar and Abhinav Shaw struck gold in the mixed 10m air rifle event.

India's success was spread across individual, team and mixed team competitions, highlighting the strength of its junior programme.

Shiva Narwal claimed silver in the men's 10m air pistol and added two more silver medals in the men's team and mixed team events. Prachi Gaikwad, Shaurya Dilip Bharne and Aishwarya Ravichandra Balehosur also finished with individual silver medals, while several team events contributed to India's overall tally.

The campaign concluded on a high as Raj Chandra won bronze in the men's 50m pistol, while the trio of Yogesh Kumar, Prateek and Abhinav Choudhary secured silver in the team event. Aishwarya Ravichandra Balehosur added the final medal with silver in the women's 50m pistol.

Reacting to the performance, NRAI president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said topping the medal table for a second successive edition reflected the strength of India's grassroots programmes, while secretary general Pawankumar Singh praised the composure shown by the young shooters in one of the toughest junior competitions on the international calendar.

India's medal tally

Gold (7): Sejal Kamble (10m Air Pistol), 10m Air Pistol Women Team, Sameer (25m Rapid Fire Pistol), Rohit Kanyan (50m Rifle 3 Positions), Pritam Kendre (10m Air Rifle), Abhinav Deshwal (25m Standard Pistol), Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar/Abhinav Shaw (10m Air Rifle Mixed Team)

Silver (8): Prachi Gaikwad, Shiva Narwal, 10m Air Pistol Men Team, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, 25m Standard Pistol Men Team, Shaurya Dilip Bharne, 50m Pistol Men Team, Aishwarya Ravichandra Balehosur

Bronze (9): Himanshi, 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Team, 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Team, Anvii Rathod, 25m Pistol Women Team, 25m Pistol Men Team, Yug Pratap Singh Rathore, Riya Duggal, Raj Chandra