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Current Affairs

Indian Shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli Win Gold with World Record at ISSF World Cup 2026

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At the 2026 ISSF World Cup held in Granada, Spain, Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli clinched gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event by setting a new world and junior world record with a combined score of 487.7. Palak scored 243.0 and Mukesh 244.7 in the final, defeating strong teams from China and Hungary. Palak, an 18-year-old Asian Games gold medallist, and Mukesh, a junior world champion, demonstrated India's growing prowess in shooting sports. Their performance marks a historic start for India in the World Cup season and boosts prospects ahead of international tournaments including the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Key Facts

  • Event: 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team, ISSF World Cup 2026

  • Location: Granada, Spain

  • Date: April 2026

  • Winners: Palak (18 years) and Mukesh Nelavalli (India)

  • Winning Score: 487.7 (New World Record and Junior World Record)

  • Final Scores: Palak – 243.0; Mukesh – 244.7

  • Silver Medalists: China’s Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu (484.8)

  • Bronze Medalists: Hungary’s Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy (414.9)

  • Qualification Scores: Palak/Mukesh – 581-17x; Chinese duo – 586-23x (qualified first)

Background & Context

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup is one of the most prestigious competitions in rifle and pistol shooting globally. The mixed team event combines one male and one female shooter per team competing in synchronized precision shooting.

Palak, 18 years old, rose to prominence with her outstanding performance at the 2023 Asian Games where she secured a gold medal in the individual 10m air pistol event and a team silver. She also earned an Olympic quota for Paris 2024 with record-breaking scores. Mukesh Nelavalli is a promising young talent in Indian shooting, having won the Junior World Championship title previously, marking both shooters as key figures in India’s shooting future.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This news is significant for current affairs sections of competitive exams that focus on India’s sporting achievements at an international level. Important details for exams include the names of the athletes (Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli), event and category (10m air pistol mixed team), setting of new world and junior world records, location (Granada, Spain), and implications for Olympic qualifications.

Points to Remember

  • Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the 2026 ISSF World Cup held in Granada, Spain.

  • They set a combined score world record and junior world record of 487.7 in the final.

  • Palak scored 243.0 and Mukesh scored 244.7 in the final round.

  • The Indian duo finished second in qualification with a score of 581-17x, behind the Chinese team.

  • China (Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu) won silver and Hungary (Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy) secured bronze.

  • Palak previously earned an Olympic quota for Paris 2024 at the 2023 Asian Games.

  • Mukesh is recognized as a Junior World Champion, signifying strong future potential.

  • The event demonstrates India's growing competitiveness in shooting sports on the world stage.

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