Veteran shooters return to boost India’s chances in Shotgun World Cup

08/13/2019

India’s shooting contingent has been a huge boost on paper with comeback of former World Champion and six-time Asian champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu one week ahead of the event. Apart from Sandhu, the return of Asian champion Angad Vir Singh Bajwa in men’s skeet team would also help.

Around 66 countries would be vying for glory with 407 shooters competing in the World Cup, which has been scheduled to be held from August 14 to 22 in Lahti, Finland. The event has also been expected to see as many as 487 starts for the fact that some shooters would be doubling up for the mixed team events.

India already have a strong squad in the in-form duo of Olympian Kynan Chenai and Prithviraj Tondaiman, who have been shooting quite well in World Cups. Especially, Kynan, who has been brilliant but has been just shy of the finals despite shooting high scores.

After missing the World University Games owing to illness, Bajwa has returned to the fore to compete in the men’s skeet team. Apart from him, Olympian Shagun Chowdhary would be leading the women’s trap team alongside Manisha Keer and World Cup silver medalist Seema Tomar.

The women’s skeet team will be having the experienced former national champion Saniya Sheikh, Areeba Khan, and Karttiki Shaktawat.

The team

Men: Trap: Kynan Chenai, Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Prithviraj Tondaiman.

Skeet: Angad Vir Singh Bajwa, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Anant Jeet Singh Naruka.

Women: Trap: Shagun Chowdhary, Manisha Keer, Seema Tomar.

Skeet: Areeba Khan, Karttiki Singh Shaktawat, Saniya Sheikh.