Anish Bhanwala Wins Silver in Men’s Rapid Fire Pistol at ISSF World Cup Final Doha
Rapid Fire Pistol champion Anish Bhanwala secured a silver medal for India at the ISSF World Cup Final in Doha on Sunday, finishing with 31 hits—just two behind China’s Olympic champion Li Yuehong. The event took place at the Lusail Shooting Complex, where Anish improved on his previous World Cup Final bronze won at the same venue two years ago. France’s reigning world champion Clement Bessaguet took bronze.
The medal added to India’s strong performance, following Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar’s silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions and Simranpreet Kaur Brar’s gold in women’s 25m pistol. India now has two gold, three silver and one bronze, standing behind China on the medal table.
Under the new ISSF format, eight shooters qualified for the final. Anish shot 583 to enter fifth, while teammate Vijayveer Sidhu qualified eighth. A strong series by Anish kept him in medal contention, eventually pushing him into the final duel against Yuehong. However, his final three hits were not enough to beat the Chinese legend.
Anish said he enjoyed the new format and was happy with his performance despite limited training after the world championships.
Our Thoughts
Anish Bhanwala’s silver medal in Doha reflects the growing strength and consistency of India’s shooting contingent on the global stage. Competing against Olympic and world champions, Anish demonstrated both composure and precision, proving once again why he remains one of India’s most promising pistol shooters. His ability to navigate the new ISSF format, which introduces more finalists and greater competition, shows his adaptability and readiness for high-pressure environments.
What stands out is Anish’s honesty about entering the event with limited preparation after the world championships. Despite that, he managed a performance strong enough not only to secure silver but also to challenge the world’s best until the final series. This speaks volumes about his natural talent, experience and mental discipline.
India’s overall medal display in Doha underscores the depth of talent across rifle and pistol categories. With shooters like Simranpreet Kaur Brar and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar performing consistently, India continues to emerge as a powerful force in international shooting.
Anish’s achievement will inspire young athletes across India, especially as the nation builds momentum ahead of upcoming global competitions. His performance reinforces that Indian shooters are capable of challenging for top honours anywhere in the world.