Prachi Gaikwad Fires India Back to the Top with Gold at ISSF Junior World Cup

India returned to the summit of the medal standings at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Cairo, with Prachi Gaikwad delivering a composed and high-pressure performance to win gold in the junior women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) event.

In a tightly contested final, Prachi edged past Individual Neutral Athlete Darya Chuprys by the narrowest of margins, finishing with 354.6 to her opponent’s 354.4, while Elena Kretinina secured bronze.

The result marked India’s second gold medal of the competition, following Shiva Narwal’s victory in the men’s 10m air pistol earlier in the week. With additional podium finishes contributing to the tally, India climbed back to the top of the standings, underlining its continued depth in junior shooting. Prachi’s gold was built on a combination of steady progression and decisive execution in critical moments. Entering the final as the only Indian qualifier, she had finished sixth in qualification with a score of 578. That placed her among a strong field, but also meant she needed to build momentum early in the final.

The 50m rifle 3 positions event is structured across three phases kneeling, prone, and standing each demanding distinct technical adjustments and mental recalibration. Prachi began the final in the kneeling position, where she placed fifth after the first 10 shots. It was a measured start, with no major errors, allowing her to remain within range of the leading group. Her performance improved significantly in the prone stage, traditionally considered the most stable of the three positions. Prachi moved up to second place, reducing the gap to the leader, Darya Chuprys, to just 0.6 points. This phase established her as a serious contender, as she demonstrated both consistency and control.

The transition to the standing position, widely regarded as the most challenging phase, proved decisive. Prachi began strongly, scoring above 50 in the first five shots and taking the lead for the first time in the final. At that stage, her rhythm and shot execution suggested she had gained control of the contest. However, the final phase introduced a shift in momentum. Darya responded with a strong sequence, including a 51.0 over five shots, while Prachi briefly faltered, missing the 10-ring four times. This allowed her rival to regain the lead, pushing the Indian shooter down to third position with five shots remaining.

The closing phase of the final tested composure under pressure. With the margin between the top competitors extremely tight, each shot carried significant weight. Prachi responded with precision, hitting the 10-ring four times in her final five shots, including two high 10s. This late surge enabled her to overtake Darya and secure the gold medal by a margin of just 0.2 points. The ability to recover from a mid-final setback and deliver in the closing shots highlights a key aspect of elite shooting mental resilience. Prachi’s performance demonstrated not only technical proficiency but also the capacity to reset under pressure and execute when the margin for error is minimal.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/india-surge-to-third-in-medal-tally-with-four-more-podium-finishes-on-day-two-of-issf-junior-world-cup-in-cairo

India’s medal tally was further strengthened by Naraen Pranav, who secured bronze in the junior men’s 10m air rifle event. Naraen had entered the final in strong form, qualifying third with a score of 630.9, while compatriots Abhinav Shaw and Divyanshu Dewangan also made the final. The final itself saw early elimination for Divyanshu, who finished eighth after 12 shots. As the contest progressed, Naraen and Abhinav remained in contention for podium positions, alongside Uzbek shooter Javohir Sokhibov and Cypriot Achilleas Sophocleous, who were leading the field.

Naraen’s challenge for a higher finish gained momentum with a sequence that included a 10.7 followed by a 10.9, bringing him closer to silver contention. However, as the elimination rounds progressed, the margins narrowed, and Abhinav’s chances faded after a 9.9 in the later stages. Ultimately, Naraen secured bronze, finishing just 0.4 points behind Sophocleous, while Sokhibov claimed gold with a dominant total of 251.2. The result adds another medal to India’s tally and reflects the depth of talent in the rifle discipline.

Looking ahead, India remains strongly positioned to add further medals. In the junior women’s 10m air pistol event, Vanshika Chaudhary, Sejal Kamble, and Kanak have all qualified for the final, occupying the top three positions in qualification. Their performances have set up a strong opportunity for India to extend its lead in the standings. Prachi Gaikwad’s gold, however, remains the defining performance of the day. In a discipline where precision and consistency are paramount, her ability to navigate pressure and deliver in decisive moments stands out. It not only secured a crucial medal for India but also reinforced the country’s standing as a leading force in junior shooting on the global stage.

As the competition continues in Cairo, India’s shooters have established both momentum and confidence, with performances like Prachi’s setting the tone for the remainder of the event.