India Begin LA 2028 Quota Hunt at Doha World Championship
Indian shooters start their road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics at the ISSF World Championship in Doha with 36 quota places up for grabs.
The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has officially opened for India's shooting contingent. The ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun kicked off on November 1 at the Lusail Shooting Complex in Doha, marking the first and most significant qualification event of the current Olympic cycle. With the stakes high, Indian athletes are vying for a share of the 36 Olympic quota places available across the competition.
The Race for Olympic Quotas
Doha serves as a critical milestone for India, especially since the recent Asian Games offered no quota places for shooting. This World Championship provides the first genuine opportunity for Indian shooters to secure their spots for LA 2028.
The competition is structured to offer three quota places in each of the 12 individual Olympic events. However, there is a limit on national dominance; each country can secure only one quota per event. This means India has the potential to bag up to 12 quota places during this tournament alone.
A Formidable Squad in Doha
India enters the championship riding a wave of success following a stellar performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where they clinched 15 medals, including six in the shotgun category.
Shotgun Specialists
Leading the charge is Neeru Dhanda, who made history by winning India's first women's trap individual gold at the Asian Games, alongside a mixed team gold and a team silver. She is joined by a powerhouse group including:
- Zoravar Singh Sandhu: A 2025 World Championship bronze medallist in trap.
- Skeet Experts: Asian Games medallists Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Raiza Dhillon, and Parinaaz Dhaliwal.
Pistol and Rifle Powerhouses
The pistol squad is spearheaded by the experienced two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. Joining her are Suruchi and Kamaljeet, the reigning Asian Games air pistol mixed team champions. Meanwhile, the rifle squad is led by Elavenil Valarivan and Himanshu Dhillon, both of whom secured individual silver medals at Aichi-Nagoya.
Strategic Preparation and Ambitions
India has displayed its intent by entering three shooters in every individual Olympic event and two pairs in each of the four mixed team events. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has ensured that the athletes are in peak condition.
"Our preparation this season has been built around this moment. The team carried its Asian Games momentum straight into a focused national camp, and our shooters arrive in Doha sharp and ready," stated Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the NRAI.
The preparation was meticulously planned at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. According to NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh, the training camps were conducted in phases, allowing rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooters dedicated time with their coaches. Performance data was used to guide the training, ensuring every athlete met a specific benchmark.
With medal events scheduled to run from November 3 to 13, the Indian contingent aims to start their LA 2028 campaign on the front foot, securing as many quotas as possible to allow for the longest possible planning runway toward the Olympic Games.