Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: The 15th RR Lakshya Cup, a premier invitational air rifle shooting competition, is set to commence on Saturday at the Lakshya Shooting Club at Karnala Sports Academy, Panvel, Navi Mumbai. The event will bring together India’s top air rifle shooters, including reigning national champions Shahu Mane and Ananya Naidu, alongside Olympians like Divyansh Singh Panwar, Arjun Babuta, and Sandeep Singh.
An Elite Platform for Shooting Excellence
Founded by Olympian and Dronacharya Awardee Suma Shirur, the Lakshya Cup has become a distinguished platform for recognizing talent and promoting gender equality in shooting. Since its inception in 2008, the competition has allowed men and women to compete on an equal footing, a practice later adopted by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) in 2017.
Shirur, the High-Performance Director of the Lakshya Shooting Club, remarked, “The Lakshya Cup is not just a competition. It celebrates hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship. This year, it is thrilling to witness national champions compete for the coveted silver trophy.”
The event is supported by RR Global under its CSR initiative, which has partnered with Lakshya Shooting Club since 2017. “We are proud to back Lakshya’s contribution to Indian sport and remain committed to fostering its growth,” said Mahendra Kabra, MD of RR Global.
Notable Achievements and Stars of the Lakshya Cup
The event boasts an impressive legacy, having been a launchpad for many of India’s top shooters. Previous participants include:
- Shriyanka Sadangi: Winner of the 13th Lakshya Cup (2022), secured a quota place for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Rudrankksh Patil: ISSF President’s Cup winner, world champion, and Paris 2024 quota place holder.
- Divyansh Singh Panwar: Tokyo Olympian and Junior National Champion.
- Aishwary Pratap Tomar: Tokyo Olympian and 2019 Lakshya Cup winner.
- Kiran Jadhav: Asian Airgun Championship silver medallist.
The competition also serves as an ideal preparatory event for international and national tournaments. Several past winners have gone on to secure Olympic quota places, including Divyansh Singh Panwar and Deepak Kumar, showcasing the Lakshya Cup’s significance in India’s shooting landscape.
Schedule and Guest of Honour
The junior 10m air rifle final is scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday, followed by the senior final at 3:30 pm. The prize distribution ceremony will commence at 5:30 pm.
Gagan Narang, the London Olympics 2012 bronze medallist and Chef-de-Mission of India’s Paris Olympics 2024 contingent, will grace the event as the guest of honour.
The Lakshya Cup continues to set a benchmark in promoting shooting sports in India, fostering talent, and bridging the gap between grassroots development and international excellence.