Millie Shah and Rakesh Nidagundi Win Medals at Changwon 2026

Indian para-shooters Millie Shah and Rakesh Nidagundi scripted history at the Changwon 2026 WSPS World Championships in South Korea on 16 September 2026, winning gold and silver in the team rifle events. The achievement marks India's first-ever team medals in rifle shooting at the Para Shooting World Championships.

Millie Shah won gold and Rakesh Nidagundi silver at the Changwon 2026 WSPS World Championships

1. Millie Shah, an athlete with the Vijayi Bharat Foundation (VBF), claimed gold in the R2 team event, teaming up with Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 category. 
2. Rakesh Nidagundi, also from VBF, won silver in the R1 team event alongside Anandha Krishna and Swaroop Unhalkar in the men's 10m air rifle standing SH1 category.
3. Both shooters train at VBF's High-Performance Centre, which the foundation credits for their consistent international results.

India's first-ever team medals in rifle at the Para Shooting World Championships

Before Changwon, India had never won a team rifle medal at this event. That changes now, with these two results giving the country gold and silver in the same championship, a clear sign that India's para rifle programme is deepening, not just producing isolated stars.

About WSPS World Championships 2026

Held from 7 to 16 September 2026 at the Changwon International Shooting Range in South Korea, the championship covered rifle, pistol, shotgun, and vision-impaired events. It also served as a key qualifying event for the LA28 Paralympic Games, with 24 quota places up for grabs across disciplines.

Highlights and India's Historic Medals

Beyond the team wins, Mona Agarwal picked up individual silver and Avani Lekhara took bronze in the R2 women's event, with Agarwal also booking an LA28 quota spot. South Korea topped the medal table with 21 medals overall, ahead of China (14), Poland (10), Italy (8), and Slovakia (5).