Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale returns to the international spotlight as he leads India’s 36-member shooting contingent at the ISSF World Cup in Munich, which begins on Tuesday. The event marks Kusale’s first major international outing since his historic podium finish in the 50m Rifle Three Positions at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Munich meet, scheduled from June 10 to 14, is the third ISSF World Cup of the year for rifle and pistol shooters and serves as a key stop on the road to the World Championship in Cairo later this year. For Kusale, this tournament is more than a return—it’s a reaffirmation of his status among world’s shooting elite.
Following his bronze medal at the Olympics, Kusale took a four-month break from competition. He returned to domestic action with commendable third-place finishes at both the National Championships and the National Games. Although he missed selection for the Buenos Aires and Lima World Cups, Kusale bounced back into the top three of the national rankings.
He underlined his return to form with a silver medal at the Grand Prix of Liberation in Plzen, scoring 463.5 in a strong international field. That performance has set the stage for his comeback on the World Cup circuit in Munich, where he will compete in his marquee event, the 50m Rifle Three Positions.
Beyond Kusale, India’s lineup in Munich includes Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, as a part of the squad. In the Women’s 10m Air Rifle, Elavenil Valarivan, a two-time Olympian and former World No. 1, leads the team alongside Ananya Naidu, the reigning national champion making her World Cup debut, and Arya Borse. Ramita Jindal and Meghana Sajjanar will compete in the Ranking Points Only (RPO) section.
In the Men’s 10m Air Pistol, Varun Tomar heads the lineup with newcomers Aditya Malra and Nishant Rawat, while Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema will participate in the RPO category.
India has had a strong start to the 2025 season, winning 15 medals, including six golds, in the first two World Cups. However, China has topped both events, and the USA edged India in Lima thanks to dominance in shotgun events—disciplines not featured in Munich.
As the shooting world gathers in Munich, all eyes will be on Swapnil Kusale’s return to the global stage. With momentum on his side and a clear goal in sight, the Olympian is not just back—he’s aiming for the top again.