India has announced a 54-member shooting squad for the ISSF World Championship 2026, which will take place in Doha, Qatar, from November 1 to 14. Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and Asian Games star Neeru Dhanda will headline India’s campaign as the country’s shooters begin their journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The championship will feature rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions, bringing together leading shooters from around the world. For India, the event carries particular importance because it offers one of the biggest opportunities in the shooting qualification pathway for the next Summer Olympics.
According to the published squad announcement, India will compete in all 12 Olympic shooting disciplines, with 35 shooters participating in Olympic events and another 19 competing in non-Olympic events.
A total of 36 Olympic quota places will be available across the 12 Olympic shooting events, with three quotas offered in each event. However, securing a quota for India will not automatically guarantee an individual athlete’s selection for the Los Angeles Olympics. Final selection will remain the responsibility of the national federation.
Key Highlights of the ISSF World Championship 2026
- Event: ISSF World Championship 2026
- Host city: Doha, Qatar
- Dates: November 1–14, 2026
- Indian contingent: 54 shooters
- Olympic disciplines: 12
- Olympic quota places available: 36
- Leading Indian names: Manu Bhaker and Neeru Dhanda
- Other prominent shooters: Suruchi Singh, Elavenil Valarivan, Himanshu Dhillon, Esha Singh, Anjum Moudgil and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar
- Olympic qualification: The championship forms part of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Manu Bhaker and Neeru Dhanda to Lead India’s Campaign
Manu Bhaker
Manu Bhaker will be one of India’s leading attractions at the championship. The two-time Olympic medallist is scheduled to compete in the women’s 10m air pistol and women’s 25m pistol events.
Bhaker has established herself as one of India’s prominent international shooters, and her participation will be closely watched as the LA 2028 Olympic qualification cycle gets underway.
Her experience across major international competitions will be valuable as India looks to compete for medals and Olympic quota places in Doha.
Neeru Dhanda
Neeru Dhanda will lead India’s challenge in the women’s trap competition after an impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Games.
She won two historic trap gold medals at the Asian Games, along with a silver medal, strengthening her position among India’s leading shotgun shooters.
Dhanda will compete in the women’s trap event, while also being part of India’s trap mixed team combinations. Her recent results make her one of the key Indian athletes to follow at the world championship.
Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Sohlot
Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Sohlot will also be important members of the Indian contingent. The pair won the 10m air pistol mixed team gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
Suruchi has been selected for the women’s 10m air pistol event and the air pistol mixed team competition. Kamaljeet will compete in the men’s 10m air pistol event and the mixed team event.
Elavenil Valarivan and Himanshu Dhillon
Elavenil Valarivan and Himanshu Dhillon are among the notable names in India’s 10m air rifle squads.
Valarivan will represent India in the women’s 10m air rifle, while Dhillon will compete in the men’s event. Both will also feature in their respective mixed team combinations.
Complete Indian Squad for the ISSF World Championship 2026
The Indian team includes athletes across rifle, pistol and shotgun events. The following list reflects the squad announced for the championship.
Olympic Events: Indian Shooting Squad
| Event | Indian shooters |
|---|---|
| Men’s 10m air rifle | Parth Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, Paarth Makhija |
| Women’s 10m air rifle | Shambhavi Kshirsagar, Sonam Maskar, Elavenil Valarivan |
| Men’s 50m rifle 3 positions | Niraj Kumar, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Akhil Sheoran |
| Women’s 50m rifle 3 positions | Vidarsa K. Vinod, Ashi Chouksey, Anjum Moudgil |
| Men’s 10m air pistol | Ravin Kumar, Jaypal Malviya, Kamaljeet Sohlot |
| Women’s 10m air pistol | Sainyam Vij, Suruchi Singh, Manu Bhaker |
| Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol | Suraj Sharma, Gurpreet Singh, Bhavesh Shekhawat |
| Women’s 25m pistol | Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, Divya T. S. |
| Men’s skeet | Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Anant Jeet Singh Naruka |
| Women’s skeet | Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Ganemat Sekhon, Raiza Dhillon |
| Men’s trap | Zoravar Singh Sandhu, Vivaan Kapoor, Udaivir Singh Jaijee |
| Women’s trap | Neeru Dhanda, Manisha Keer, Pragati Dubey |
Indian Mixed Team Combinations
India will also field teams in the mixed events.
| Mixed team event | Indian combinations |
|---|---|
| 10m air rifle mixed team | Parth Mane–Shambhavi Kshirsagar; Himanshu Dhillon–Sonam Maskar |
| 10m air pistol mixed team | Ravin Kumar–Sainyam Vij; Jaypal Malviya–Suruchi Singh |
| Skeet mixed team | Mairaj Ahmad Khan–Raiza Dhillon; Bhavtegh Singh Gill–Ganemat Sekhon |
| Trap mixed team | Zoravar Singh Sandhu–Neeru Dhanda; Vivaan Kapoor–Manisha Keer |
Mixed team events add another competitive dimension to the championship, testing coordination between partners as well as individual shooting ability.
Indian Squad for Non-Olympic Events
India will also participate in non-Olympic shooting events at the championship. These competitions provide opportunities for athletes to compete internationally and demonstrate their skills beyond the events included in the Olympic programme.
| Event | Indian shooters |
|---|---|
| Men’s 50m rifle prone | Sidharth Gaur, Swapnil Kusale, Akhil Sheoran |
| Women’s 50m rifle prone | Ayushi Podder, Priya Singh, Sift Kaur Samra |
| Men’s 50m pistol | Saurabh Chaudhary, Amanpreet Singh, Ravinder Singh |
| Women’s 50m pistol | Aishwarya Balehosur, Parisha Gupta |
| Men’s 25m centre fire pistol | Amanpreet Singh, Ankur Goel, Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu |
| Men’s 25m standard pistol | Harsh Gupta, Jatin, Udit Joshi |
| Women’s 25m standard pistol | Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Manvi Jain, Niveditha Nair |
Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale will compete in the non-Olympic men’s 50m rifle prone event. His inclusion adds another established international name to India’s contingent.
Why the ISSF World Championship 2026 Is Important for India
The Doha championship is significant because it marks an important stage in the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Shooting has become one of India’s important medal-producing sports at major international competitions. The country has invested in developing athletes across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines, and the world championship will test the depth of that preparation.
1. Olympic quota opportunities
The championship will offer 36 quota places across 12 Olympic shooting events. These places are allocated to countries rather than automatically guaranteeing Olympic participation to the athletes who earn them.
A quota would give India an opportunity to secure representation in the relevant Olympic event, subject to the applicable qualification rules.
2. Competition against the world’s best
A world championship brings together international competitors with different techniques, experience and competition records. Performing well requires consistency under pressure and the ability to maintain accuracy across qualification rounds and finals.
For India’s shooters, Doha will provide an opportunity to measure themselves against strong international fields.
3. Building momentum towards LA 2028
The results can help establish early momentum in the Olympic qualification cycle. Strong performances may also help athletes gain confidence and experience as they prepare for subsequent international competitions.
However, the championship is one part of a wider qualification process, and the final route to Los Angeles will depend on the applicable rules and selection decisions.
India’s Preparations Before the Championship
Indian shooters selected for the world championship began a preparatory camp at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi on October 22, 2026.
According to reports, the training programme was organised in phases according to the shooting disciplines.
The 10m rifle and pistol groups, men’s 25m rapid fire pistol athletes and skeet shooters were scheduled to train from October 22 to 29. The 50m rifle and women’s 25m pistol groups were scheduled to remain in camp until October 31. The trap contingent was due to train from October 28 to November 4.
The camp was intended to help athletes prepare for the international competition and refine their performance before travelling to Doha.
Preparations are particularly important at a championship where small differences in accuracy, consistency and decision-making can determine final positions.
What to Expect From India’s Shooting Team in Doha
India will enter the competition with a mix of established international performers and athletes seeking to make their mark on the world stage.
Manu Bhaker’s experience in Olympic competition, Neeru Dhanda’s recent Asian Games success and the mixed team credentials of Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet Sohlot will attract attention.
India’s rifle squads will also be important to watch, particularly in the 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three positions events. The shotgun contingent will compete in skeet and trap, where the ability to respond consistently to moving targets is essential.
Although the team has several prominent names, results will depend on performance during the competition. Squad selection and previous achievements do not guarantee medals or quota places.
The championship will provide an early indication of how India’s shooters are progressing as the country prepares for the next Olympic cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will the ISSF World Championship 2026 take place?
The ISSF World Championship 2026 is scheduled to take place from November 1 to 14, 2026, in Doha, Qatar.
2. How many shooters are in India’s squad?
India has announced a 54-member squad for the championship, covering Olympic and non-Olympic shooting events.
3. Who will lead India’s shooting team?
Manu Bhaker and Neeru Dhanda are among the leading names in the Indian contingent. Other prominent athletes include Suruchi Singh, Elavenil Valarivan, Himanshu Dhillon and Esha Singh.
4. How many Olympic quota places are available?
The championship offers 36 Olympic quota places across 12 Olympic shooting events, with three quotas available in each event.
5. Does winning an Olympic quota guarantee an athlete a place at LA 2028?
No. A quota place is secured for the country. The national federation retains the authority to select the athlete who will represent the country at the Olympics, in accordance with the applicable selection rules.
6. Which events will Manu Bhaker compete in?
Manu Bhaker is listed for the women’s 10m air pistol and women’s 25m pistol events.
7. Which event will Neeru Dhanda compete in?
Neeru Dhanda will compete in women’s trap and is also listed in India’s trap mixed team combinations.
8. Where can readers find official championship updates?
Readers should check the official Olympics.com shooting coverage and the International Shooting Sport Federation website for official updates, schedules and results.
Conclusion
India’s 54-member squad will compete at the ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha from November 1 to 14, with Manu Bhaker and Neeru Dhanda among the leading athletes.
The championship offers 36 Olympic quota places across 12 events, making it an important opportunity in the qualification pathway for Los Angeles 2028. India’s participation across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines reflects the breadth of its shooting programme.
With established international performers, Asian Games medallists and mixed team combinations in the squad, India will aim to produce strong performances against the world’s leading shooters. The competition will also provide valuable experience as athletes work towards the next Olympic Games.
