Indian shooter Ankur Goel delivered a strong performance in the men’s 25m centre-fire pistol event at the 2026 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Goel recorded 292-9x points in the precision stage on November 11, placing second in the individual intermediate standings behind Latvia’s Ernests Erbs, who scored 293-6x. India also occupied second position in the intermediate team standings with 856-25x points.
The Indian team comprised Goel, Amanpreet Singh and Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu, who scored 292-9x, 288-11x and 276-5x respectively. Latvia led the team standings with 870-19x, while the Republic of Korea was third with 854-21x. The rapid stage of the event was scheduled for November 12, followed by the medal ceremony at 10:30 am. However, the final individual and team medal results could not be independently verified from the accessible official records at the time of writing.
Individual Performance
Goel’s performance in the precision stage placed him among the leading competitors in the men’s 25m centre-fire pistol event. He recorded 96, 98 and 98 across his three series, finishing with 292 points and nine inner tens. Latvia’s Erbs secured the top position with 293-6x, while compatriot Lauris Strautmanis stood third with 292-8x. Goel and Strautmanis recorded identical overall scores, but Goel had one additional inner ten.
The precision stage formed the first part of the competition, with shooters required to complete the rapid stage before the final individual standings could be established. The event tests athletes’ accuracy, concentration and ability to maintain consistency across different shooting stages. Goel’s performance gave India a strong position heading into the remaining competition.
Team Competition
India’s intermediate second-place position came through the combined efforts of three shooters. Goel contributed 292-9x points, Amanpreet Singh added 288-11x, and Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu registered 276-5x. Their combined score of 856-25x placed India ahead of South Korea, which had 854-21x, while Latvia led with 870-19x. The 2026 ISSF World Championship Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun is being held in Doha from November 1 to 14. The championship features international competitors across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines.
India entered the competition with a 54-member contingent, according to pre-event reports. The men’s 25m centre-fire pistol is a non-Olympic discipline and does not offer a direct qualification quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The championship also provides an opportunity for Indian shooters competing in Olympic disciplines to pursue qualification places.
The ISSF’s official schedule listed the rapid stage of the men’s 25m centre-fire pistol event for November 12, with the medal ceremony scheduled for the same morning. No verified statement from an Indian shooting official specifically regarding Goel’s performance was available in the official records consulted.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sporting achievements deserve recognition not only for the medals athletes win but also for the discipline, perseverance and teamwork behind their performances. India’s shooting contingent demonstrates the importance of creating opportunities for athletes to compete at international levels and represent the country across different disciplines. Such performances can inspire young people to explore sports beyond cricket and other widely followed games.
However, building a strong sporting culture requires sustained investment in grassroots training, accessible facilities, professional coaching and institutional support. International competitions also remind us that healthy rivalry can exist alongside mutual respect and sportsmanship. As Indian shooters continue to compete on the world stage, how can the country make professional sporting opportunities more accessible to talented youngsters from smaller towns and communities?
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