New Delhi [India]: Indian athletes delivered an outstanding performance at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025, clinching a total of 11 medals — three gold, four silver, and four bronze — at the prestigious tournament held in Suhl, Germany, from May 19 to 27.
A 57-member Indian contingent participated in the competition, including eight athletes trained at the Gun for Glory academy, a premier institution operated by the Gagan Narang Sports Foundation.
Among the standout performers were Naraen Pranav and Mukesh Nelavalli, who brought pride to the nation with their medal-winning efforts. Naraen secured a silver medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Junior Team event and a bronze in the 10m Air Rifle Junior Men event. Meanwhile, Mukesh claimed a bronze medal in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Junior Men’s event.
Another promising shooter, Anushka Thokur, advanced to the finals of the 50m 3P Junior Women’s event, finishing in 7th place.
All eight athletes representing the Gun for Glory academy were trained under the GNSPF’s flagship initiative, Project Leap. This specialized and sponsored program focuses on holistic athlete development, targeting technical, physical, and mental aspects of performance.
On winning two medals, Naraen Pranav shared his excitement, as quoted in a press release from the Gagan Narang Sports Foundation:
“It feels great and is a major moment in my career so far. Just being able to represent the country on such a global stage is a great honour, and to return with a medal makes it even more special. I would like to thank my coaches at the Gun for Glory academy and mentor Gagan Narang sir for guiding me at every step, because of which I was able to win these two medals,” he said.
Gagan Narang, bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics, also expressed pride in the achievements of his academy’s athletes:
“We are extremely proud of these youngsters who made the entire nation stand tall at the ISSF Junior World Cup. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication and resilience they have put in their training all these years. Our academy aims to continue building many more such athletes and ensuring that the future of Indian shooting is in safe hands.”