India Continue ISSF Junior World Championship Dominance as Sameer and Rohit Kanyan Win Gold in Suhl
India won five more medals on Day 2 of the ISSF Junior World Championship 2026, with Sameer and Rohit Kanyan clinching gold to keep the nation atop the medal table.
India’s young shooters continued their exceptional run at the ISSF Junior World Championship 2026 in Suhl, Germany, adding five more medals on the second day of competition to consolidate their position at the top of the medal standings.
Powered by gold medal performances from Sameer and Rohit Kanyan, along with a silver and two bronze medals in individual and team events, India’s tally swelled to eight medals after just two days of action.
The latest haul takes the country’s overall count to four gold, one silver and three bronze medals, underlining the depth of talent emerging from India’s junior shooting programme and reaffirming its status as one of the sport’s global powerhouses.
One of the standout performances of the day came in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Junior event, where Sameer showcased composure and precision under pressure to claim the gold medal.
Competing against a strong international field, the Indian shooter remained consistent throughout the final and finished with 28 hits, enough to secure the top spot on the podium. His calm execution in the decisive stages highlighted both technical excellence and mental strength, qualities that have become hallmarks of India’s emerging generation of pistol shooters.
The victory added another prestigious international title to India’s campaign and further strengthened the nation’s position atop the championship standings.
India’s second gold medal of the day came courtesy of Rohit Kanyan in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior competition.
Rohit delivered an outstanding performance across kneeling, prone and standing positions to emerge as the champion in one of shooting’s most technically demanding disciplines. His victory reflected remarkable consistency and control, particularly in the high-pressure stages of the competition where minor errors can prove decisive.
The gold medal also reinforced India’s growing strength in rifle events, an area that has consistently produced world-class performers over the past decade. India’s medal rush continued in the women’s competition as Prachi Gaikwad secured the silver medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women Junior event.
Prachi finished with an impressive score of 354.7, earning the runner-up position after a composed display against a highly competitive field. Although narrowly missing out on gold, her silver medal added valuable points to India’s campaign and highlighted the country’s depth in women’s rifle shooting.
Her podium finish also showcased the balanced nature of India’s contingent, with medals being won across multiple disciplines and categories.
The Indian contingent also excelled in the team competitions, adding two bronze medals to its rapidly growing tally.
In the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior Team event, the trio of Rohit Kanyan, Vedant Nitin Waghmare and Hithesh Srinivasan combined effectively to secure a podium finish. Their collective performance demonstrated consistency across all stages of the competition and earned India another bronze medal.
The success continued in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men Junior Team event, where Sameer, Abhinav Choudhary and Sahil Choudhary claimed bronze after another solid outing.
The team medals underline the strength of India’s overall squad, with multiple shooters contributing to the country’s impressive performance in Suhl.
With five medals added on Day 2, India maintained its position at the summit of the championship medal standings.
An overall tally of eight medals four gold, one silver and three bronze after two days reflects not only individual brilliance but also the effectiveness of the country’s junior development system.
The performances across pistol and rifle disciplines suggest that India possesses both quality and depth, giving it the ability to challenge consistently in multiple events rather than relying on isolated successes.
The ISSF Junior World Championship has long served as a platform for identifying future Olympic and World Championship contenders, and India’s performances in Suhl indicate that another talented generation is emerging. Shooters like Sameer and Rohit Kanyan have demonstrated the ability to handle pressure on the international stage, while Prachi Gaikwad’s silver-medal finish and the team podiums reinforce the breadth of talent available to Indian selectors.
These results also reflect the sustained investment made by the National Rifle Association of India and various high-performance programmes aimed at nurturing young athletes from grassroots to elite competition.
With several events still to come, India will be aiming to build on its excellent start and further increase its medal tally in Suhl. Confidence within the camp is expected to be high after back-to-back days of podium finishes and strong performances across disciplines.
The combination of individual champions, consistent finalists and successful team efforts has given India an early advantage in the championship race.
If the opening two days are any indication, the Indian contingent appears well-positioned to continue its medal-winning momentum and reinforce its reputation as one of the leading forces in world junior shooting.
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