Indian women’s skeet shooters, Ganemat Sekhon and Darshna Rathore, etched their names in history as they secured silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the ISSF World Cup in Almaty. This remarkable achievement marks the first time Indian skeet shooters have won two senior individual medals at this prestigious event. The gold medal went to local favorite, Assem Orynbay of Kazakhstan, who emerged victorious in a thrilling shoot-off. Both Ganemat and Orynbay had displayed exceptional skills, finishing the 60-shot final with an impressive 50 hits each. During the shoot-off, Ganemat encountered a setback as she missed one out of the first two targets, while Orynbay successfully hit both, ultimately securing the gold medal. Nonetheless, Ganemat’s outstanding performance earned her the silver medal, which now becomes her second individual world cup medal. For Darshna Rathore, this momentous occasion is even more significant as she made her debut in the senior final and claimed her first-ever world cup medal.
Earlier on the second day of the competition, Darshna displayed her talent by qualifying for the six-woman final in second place, equaling the national record with a score of 120. Ganemat, on the other hand, secured the fourth spot with a score of 117. Orynbay topped the qualification round with a score of 121, while Konstantina Nikolaou from Cyprus, ranked 10th in the world, also qualified for the final. As the final progressed, the competition intensified. After the first 10 targets, Orynbay emerged as the most accurate shooter with eight hits, closely followed by Ganemat, Darshna, and Barbora, who each had seven hits. Gradually, the field narrowed down, and at the 40-target mark, Ganemat led with 29 hits, securing a historic achievement for the Indian contingent. Darshna Rathore’s journey came to an end with an impressive score of 39 hits, leaving only Ganemat and Orynbay to battle it out in the shoot-off.
Ultimately, it was Orynbay who emerged victorious, while Ganemat secured the silver medal. Another Indian participant, Maheshwari Chauhan, finished 24th with a score of 108 in the qualification round. Although the Indian men’s skeet shooters did not make it to the finals, Mairaj Khan had the best performance among the Indian participants, finishing in 16th place with a score of 119. Gurjoat Khangura and Anantjeet Singh Naruka also showcased their skills but fell short of securing a higher rank. Indian women’s skeet shooters have undoubtedly made their mark on the international stage, leaving a lasting legacy with their exceptional performances at the ISSF World Cup. Their success serves as an inspiration for future generations and further establishes India’s growing prominence in the world of shooting sports.