India Secures Bronze in Mixed Team Event at ISSF World Cup

By Arjun Nair / 28.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon secured a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou. This achievement increased India’s overall medal count at the competition to four, comprising one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.

Both Indian teams demonstrated strong performances during the qualification rounds to advance to the final. Sonam Uttam Maskar contributed 317.2, and Himanshu Dhillon scored 317.4, leading to a combined qualification score of 634.6. Another Indian pair, Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Rakesh Mane, qualified with a total score of 634.2, with Elavenil Valarivan scoring 316.8 and Parth Rakesh Mane scoring 317.4.

Himanshu Dhillon’s First Senior World Cup Medal

For Himanshu Dhillon, the bronze medal marks his first senior ISSF World Cup podium finish. He expressed that competing in his first senior World Cup final was a significant experience. Dhillon stated that he trusted his coach’s guidance and relied on his strengths, noting that while he had competed in many junior finals, this senior World Cup medal was particularly special.

Dhillon, from Haryana, had previously won gold in the 10m air rifle junior event at the Junior World Cup in New Delhi.

Sonam Uttam Maskar’s Consistent Performance

The podium finish represents another milestone for Sonam Uttam Maskar.

In other events at the ISSF World Cup, Sonam Uttam Maskar and Elavenil Valarivan reached the women’s 10m air rifle final but did not secure medals, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Sonam impressed in qualification with a score of 634.3, placing second behind Du Yuchen of China, who scored 634.4. Elavenil also qualified comfortably, placing sixth with a score of 632.8.

India’s Medal Tally and International Context

Despite their strong qualification performances, the Indian duo could not replicate their form in the eight-shooter final. Sonam exited in fifth place, followed by Elavenil in sixth, as Chinese shooters dominated the medal race.

Du Yuchen, a sixteen-year-old, claimed her first ISSF World Cup medal, winning gold with a score of 254.6 in the final. Nobata Misaki of Japan secured silver, while former world champion Han Jiayu of China took bronze, ensuring a double podium for the host nation.

India’s lone medal prior to the mixed team event was a silver from Sainyam in the women’s 10m air pistol. Sainyam delivered a composed performance, scoring 243.4 in the final to claim silver and open India’s account at the competition. China continued its dominance at the World Cup, leading the medals table with 11 medals, including four gold, three silver, and four bronze. Germany and the United States were joint second with one gold and one silver each, while Great Britain and Qatar shared fourth place with one gold apiece. India was tied for sixth position with one silver medal, alongside two other nations. A total of 24 medals have been decided across the first eight events of the competition.

Himanshu Dhillon noted that winning a medal provides confidence for upcoming assignments, stating that experience is crucial and this performance will motivate them.

Source: theshillongtimes.com