ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol enters its last leg in Ningbo, China. The competition is scheduled to take place from September 8 to 14.
Athletes will look to earn a place at the ISSF World Cup Final that will be held in Doha in December. The line-ups for the Finale will take its full shape.
There are a total of 320 athletes from 42 National Federations entered for the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo. Competition takes place across 10 events – four individual rifles, four individual pistols, and two mixed team events for each discipline.
ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2025 Ningbo: Top Contenders
Sheng Lihao- The Home Favourite
China’s Sheng Lihao enters as the clear favourite in the men’s 10m air rifle, following his Olympic triumph in Châteauroux and World Cup victory in Lima. The 20-year-old prodigy has shown consistent form and will be aiming to extend his dominance on home soil at ISSF World Cup.
Standing in his way is Ilia Marsov, competing under the AIN banner, who clinched the title in Munich. The Czech Republic’s Jiri Privratsky, fresh off his 50m 3 Positions gold in Lima, and teammate Filip Nepejchal also look poised for strong showings.
Hungarian ace Istvan Peni, known for his versatility across both distances, remains a constant threat. Asian medallists Park Ha-jun (Korea) and Lu Dingke (China) are also in the hunt, alongside Norway’s dynamic duo Jon-Hermann Hegg (10m silver and 50m gold in Munich) and Ole Martin Halvorsen. Sweden’s Victor Lindgren, the Tokyo silver medallist, will aim to rediscover top form, while India’s Swapnil Kusale carries the nation’s hopes in the 50m rifle 3P event.
Women’s 10m Air Rifle
With Wang Zifei- the dominant force of the season and triple World Cup gold medallist- absent in Ningbo, the women’s 10m air rifle is wide open for a new champion.
Kwon Eun-ji of South Korea, a two-time silver medallist behind Wang, is among the frontrunners to claim the top step of the podium. Switzerland will field a powerhouse team, even without Audrey Gogniat, with Olympic champions Nina Christen and Chiara Leone in action.
China’s Peng Xinlu, recently crowned Asian silver medallist, will look to deliver a home victory. European champion Rikke Ibsen (Denmark) is entered in both rifle events and aims to carry continental momentum into Ningbo. France’s Oceanne Muller and Germany’s Anna Janssen, both multi-time World Cup winners, will also compete in both disciplines. Keep an eye on Norway’s Jeanette Hegg Duestad, a four-time Olympic finalist, whose consistency and experience make her a major contender.
Men’s Pistol
China’s Hu Kai headlines a stacked men’s pistol field, but faces intense competition from World Cup silver medallists Felipe Wu (Brazil) and Anton Aristarkhov (AIN). Italy brings serious medal potential with Federico Nilo Maldini and Paolo Monna, Olympic silver and bronze medallists respectively.
25m Rapid Fire Pistol
The rapid fire pistol event is set for fireworks. China’s Su Lianbofan, the new Asian champion, returns after claiming silver in Lima on his World Cup debut. He’ll renew his rivalry with Czech shooter Matej Rampula, who beat him to gold that day.
French star Jean Quiquampoix, the Tokyo 2020 champion and Munich gold medallist, adds firepower to the lineup. Germany will field a strong trio in Florian Peter, Emanuel Mueller, and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Christian Reitz- all medal winners in previous stages. AIN athlete Ivan Semenikhin, who made a final in Buenos Aires, and Italy’s Riccardo Mazzetti (silver in Buenos Aires) are also aiming for repeat success.
Women’s Pistol- New Champion To Be Crowned
With India’s Suruchi Singh not competing in the 10m air pistol, the World Cup 2025 will see a new winner in Ningbo. China’s hopes rest on Ma Qianke, the new Asian champion, who will also compete in the 25m pistol event. Teammate Yao Qianxun, already a two-time podium finisher this season, is also in excellent form.
Camille Jedrzejewski of France, the Olympic silver medallist, will be a contender across both pistol distances. Oh Ye-jin and Yang Ji-in- both Olympic champions- lead a strong Korean team, making them early favourites.
Also in the mix are Zorana Arunovic of Serbia, an Olympic mixed team gold medallist, and Thu Vinh Trinh of Vietnam, who reached the Olympic final. From Hong Kong, Shing Ho Ching, currently world no. 6, could be a dark horse at ISSF World Cup Ningbo.
Also Read: Chinese Shooters Shine At ISSF World Cup Munich, Lead Medal Tally
ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol 2025: Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
| Sun – 7 SEP | 08:30–16:00 | Arrival of Delegations |
| 08:30–16:00 | Equipment Control | |
| 09:30–16:00 | Unofficial Training (10m, 25m, 50m Ranges) | |
| Mon – 8 SEP | 08:30–13:30 | Equipment Control |
| 09:30–13:30 | Unofficial Training (25m, 50m Ranges) | |
| 11:15–12:00 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team | |
| 12:45–13:30 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team | |
| 14:00 | Technical Meeting | |
| 16:00 | Opening Ceremony | |
| Tue – 9 SEP | 08:30–16:00 | Equipment Control |
| 09:30–12:30 | Unofficial Training: 25m Range | |
| 09:30–16:00 | Unofficial Training: 50m Range | |
| 09:45–10:15 | 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team | |
| 11:45 | Final: 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team | |
| 12:30–13:00 | 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team | |
| 13:00 | Medal Ceremony: APMT | |
| 14:00 | Pre-event Training: 25m Pistol Women (Precision) | |
| 14:00–15:15 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Pistol Men | |
| 14:30 | Final: 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team | |
| 15:45 | Medal Ceremony: ARMT | |
| Wed – 10 SEP | 08:30–15:00 | Equipment Control |
| 09:30 | 25m Pistol Women (Precision Stage) | |
| 09:30–11:30 | Unofficial Training: 50m Range | |
| 09:45–11:00 | 10m Air Pistol Men | |
| 11:30 | Pre-event Training: 25m Pistol Women (Rapid Fire) | |
| 12:00–13:15 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Rifle Men (Relay 1) | |
| 12:30 | Final: 10m Air Pistol Men | |
| 13:15 | Medal Ceremony: APM | |
| 13:45–15:00 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Rifle Men (Relay 2) | |
| Thu – 11 SEP | 08:30–15:00 | Equipment Control |
| 09:30 | 25m Pistol Women (Rapid Fire Stage) | |
| 09:30–11:15 | Pre-event Training: 50m Rifle 3P Women | |
| 09:45–11:00 | 10m Air Rifle Men (Relay 1) | |
| 11:15–13:00 | 10m Air Rifle Men (Relay 2) | |
| 11:15–13:45 | Pre-event Training: 25m RFP Men (Stage 1) | |
| 11:45 | Final: 25m Pistol Women | |
| 12:45 | Medal Ceremony: SPW | |
| 14:30 | Final: 10m Air Rifle Men | |
| 15:15 | Medal Ceremony: ARM | |
| Fri – 12 SEP | 08:30–16:00 | Equipment Control |
| 09:30–10:45 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Pistol Women | |
| 09:30–13:15 | 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men (Stage 1) | |
| 09:45–11:15 | 50m Rifle 3P Women | |
| 12:00–13:45 | Pre-event Training: 50m Rifle 3P Men (Elimination 1) | |
| 12:45 | Final: 50m Rifle 3P Women | |
| 14:00 | Medal Ceremony: R3PW | |
| 14:15–16:00 | Pre-event Training: 50m Rifle 3P Men (Elimination 2) | |
| Sat – 13 SEP | 08:30–15:00 | Equipment Control |
| 09:30–13:15 | 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men (Stage 2) | |
| 09:45–11:00 | 10m Air Pistol Women | |
| 09:45–11:15 | 50m Rifle 3P Men (Elimination Relay 1) | |
| 12:00–13:15 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Rifle Women (Relay 1) | |
| 12:00–13:30 | 50m Rifle 3P Men (Elimination Relay 2) | |
| 12:30 | Final: 10m Air Pistol Women | |
| 13:15 | Medal Ceremony: APW | |
| 13:45–15:00 | Pre-event Training: 10m Air Rifle Women (Relay 2) | |
| 14:30 | Final: 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men | |
| 15:30 | Medal Ceremony: RFPM | |
| Sun – 14 SEP | 08:30–13:30 | Equipment Control |
| 09:45–11:15 | 50m Rifle 3P Men | |
| 10:15–11:30 | 10m Air Rifle Women (Relay 1) | |
| 12:15–13:30 | 10m Air Rifle Women (Relay 2) | |
| 12:45 | Final: 50m Rifle 3P Men | |
| 14:00 | Medal Ceremony: R3PM | |
| 15:00 | Final: 10m Air Rifle Women | |
| 15:45 | Medal Ceremony: ARW |
