India’s Palak and Mukesh Win ISSF World Cup Gold

India began its campaign at the ISSF World Cup rifle and pistol stage in Granada, Spain, with a historic gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Young shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli secured the top podium finish with a world record score of 487.7. The score also stands as a junior world record, highlighting the duo’s exceptional performance on the global stage.

World record performance in final

The Indian pair delivered a composed and precise performance in the gold medal match. Palak scored 243.0, while Mukesh contributed 244.7, taking their combined tally to a record-breaking 487.7. China’s Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu settled for silver with 484.8. Hungary’s Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy clinched bronze after finishing with 414.9.

Consistency from qualification stage

Palak and Mukesh had already shown strong form in the qualification round. They finished second with a score of 581-17x, just behind the Chinese duo who topped the standings with 586-23x. Their steady performance in qualification carried into the final, where they raised their level further to secure the gold medal.

Rising stars in Indian shooting

Palak, aged 18, first gained attention at the 2023 Asian Games, where she won gold in the individual 10m air pistol event and a team silver medal. She also secured an Olympic quota for Paris 2024 with a record-breaking performance. Mukesh Nelavalli is regarded as a promising talent in Indian shooting and is already a junior world champion, marking him as a key name for the future.

Important Facts for Exams

• ISSF stands for International Shooting Sport Federation, governing global shooting competitions.
• The 10m air pistol is an Olympic shooting event using compressed air pistols.
• Granada, located in Spain, is hosting the ISSF World Cup stage in April 2026.
• Mixed team events in shooting involve one male and one female athlete competing jointly.

Strong start to World Cup campaign

The gold medal marks a strong opening for India at the ISSF World Cup. The achievement reflects the growing strength and depth in Indian shooting, particularly in pistol events. The performance of Palak and Mukesh sets a positive tone for the remainder of the competition and reinforces India’s prospects in upcoming international tournaments.