Neeraj Kumar Secures Bronze and Olympic Quota at ISSF World Championship in Doha

Doha, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Neeraj Kumar clinched a bronze medal in the men’s 50-meter rifle 3-position event at the ISSF World Championship held in Doha on November 11, 2026. This achievement also secured India a quota spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

This marks India’s second Olympic quota in shooting. Just last week, Jaypal Malviya earned the first quota by winning a silver medal in the men’s 10-meter air pistol event. Neeraj scored a total of 346.5 points, finishing behind Slovakia’s Patrick Jani, who took silver with 357.2 points, and gold medalist Dmitry Pimenov, who set a junior world record with a score of 362.8 points. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar from India placed fifth with a score of 323.7 points.

Neeraj’s quota comes in the same event where Swapnil Kusale won a historic bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first Indian shooter to earn an Olympic medal in the men’s 50-meter rifle 3-position category. Pimenov maintained a strong lead throughout the final, excelling in all three positions: kneeling, prone, and standing.

Since Patrick Jani had already secured a quota in the men’s 10-meter air rifle event, he was ineligible for another. Consequently, the quota spot was awarded to Norway’s John-Herman Heg, who finished fourth with 335.9 points. Pimenov’s victory also secured a quota, while Heg’s placement provided Norway with its third quota spot for the finals.

According to regulations, an athlete can only secure one quota for their National Olympic Committee (NOC). If an athlete qualifies in multiple events, the additional quota is passed to the next eligible competitor. The ISSF World Championship in Doha 2026 is offering three Olympic quota spots in each of the twelve individual events, including six for men and six for women across rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines.