Kashmir, October 2, 2025 – In a triumphant finale to the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025, Indian shooters Mukesh Nelavalli and Tejaswani Singh delivered stellar performances, clinching gold and silver medals respectively in the 25m pistol events, propelling India to the top of the medals table at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. The week-long competition, the 11th edition of the ISSF Junior World Cup and the first hosted in India, featured over 200 young athletes from 19 nations vying for glory across 15 Olympic and three non-Olympic events. India concluded the event with an impressive haul of 26 medals – eight gold, 10 silver, and eight bronze – underscoring the nation’s growing dominance in junior shooting.
Mukesh Nelavalli’s Precision Powers India to Gold
In the men’s 25m pistol junior individual – a non-Olympic event – Mukesh Nelavalli, already the reigning junior world champion, showcased unflinching accuracy to secure the top spot. Building on his strong precision stage score of 289 from the previous day, Nelavalli fired a brilliant 296 in the rapid-fire stage, aggregating 585 for the gold medal. Russia’s Aleksandr Kovalev, who had earlier won gold in the 25m rapid fire pistol, settled for silver with 577, while compatriot Sahil Choudhary added bronze for India with 573. Nelavalli’s victory not only highlighted his technical prowess but also contributed to India’s additional medals in non-Olympic categories, including two golds, two silvers, and three bronzes from events like 50m rifle prone.
Tejaswani Singh’s Gritty Fight for Silver
Tejaswani Singh, fresh off a gold medal win at the Junior ISSF World Cup in Suhl earlier this year, dominated the women’s 25m pistol qualification with a top score of 580-17x. However, in a nail-biting final, she faced stiff competition from Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) Aleksandra Tikhonova. Tikhonova maintained composure, hitting 33 points to claim gold, while Singh fought valiantly to score 30 for silver. Italy’s Alessandra Fait rounded out the podium with bronze at 28 points. Singh’s performance exemplified the depth of talent in Indian women’s shooting, adding to the country’s 19 medals from Olympic events alone, including six golds.
India Tops Medals Tally Amid Global Competition
India’s haul outshone competitors from nations like AIN, Italy, Croatia, and Czechia, with five countries securing golds in total. Other notable Indian achievements included clean sweeps in women’s 10m air rifle and strong showings in trap and rifle events, cementing the hosts’ status as a shooting powerhouse. The event, held from September 24 to October 1, not only boosted national pride but also served as a crucial platform for emerging talents ahead of future international meets. As one observer noted, “Steady performance and consistent skill define our young shooters.”
