ISSF World Cup 2023: Bhopal all set for shooters' showdown as medals expected to galore

Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal has been chosen as the venue for the 2023 ISSF Shooting World Cup (Rifle and Pistol). The International Shooting Sport Federation informed that the round will be conducted between March 20, 2023, and March 31, 2023.

Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that the announcement was a significant acknowledgement of Madhya Pradesh as a leader in sports infrastructure and that of the 'vision of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has backed sports all the way'.

Shivraj took to Twitter to say, "Hosting the ISSF Shooting World Cup (Rifle and Pistol) is a matter of joy and pride for the people of Madhya Pradesh."

Veteran Indian shooter Mairaj Ahmed Khan headlined India's performance during the 2022 ISSF World Cup. Team India won five golds, six silvers and four bronze medals. Hosts Korea finished second with 12 medals, including four golds, five silvers and three bronze medals, while the Czech Republic settled at third with six medals, including four golds and two bronze medals.

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China and Serbia bagged the fourth and fifth spots. What India attained was outstanding, as it possessed high anticipations in shooting that have set the stage for the World Cup on fire. In 2020, the tournament was scheduled to happen in Delhi. Unfortunately, it was called off because of COVID fears.

The competition was to get underway on March 15, 2020, in the rifle, pistol and handgun categories. It was initially planned to be organised in a couple of phases in May due to the COVID restrictions. Yet, the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) informed that the event was called off due to the COVID concerns.