At an age as young as 16, Shambhavi Kshirsagar has already fired a shot that has echoed across international arenas. Crowned the Junior World Champion in the women’s 10m air rifle event at the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 in Suhl, Germany, the young shooter’s journey is a proof of her sheer vision and discipline. 

She defeated Chinese shooter and double Olympic medallist Huang Yuting, a name she once spoke of with awe. Shambhavi’s victory is a fierce shout of feminine power in a sport often celebrated more for male achievements. Inspired by the legendary Abhinav Bindra, Shambhavi is not walking in footsteps, she is creating new ones.

Obsessed with the Trigger, Armed with Passion

“She is obsessed with shooting,” says her father, Shravan Kshirsagar. “If she’s not shooting or preparing for it, she’s speaking about it”. This is the story of a focused shooter from Pune who started her journey at a very young age. Her daily routine revolves entirely around shooting, whether practicing or discussing strategies.

Challenging traditional expectations placed on young girls, Shambhavi’s dedication is fierce. Her father, Shravan, has been her strongest pillar of support, recognizing early on her obsession and pushing her to compete at the highest level.

At the Khelo India Youth Games, Shambhavi won and made a bold statement, shooting a career-high score of 635.7. Her golden streak continued at the Junior World Championships, but Shambhavi wasn’t satisfied. “I came here with a target of shooting 636. I couldn’t achieve that,” she confessed. 

This is what makes Shambhavi a force to reckon with, her hunger to grow and her vision beyond podiums. She isn’t here just to decorate medal tallies but she’s here to rewrite history, one bullet at a time.

From Junior Champion to Olympic Firestarter: Shambhavi’s Vision

“Beating an Olympic medallist feels good, but I want to do it at the Olympics,” Shambhavi says. She looks up to Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra as her inspiration, aspiring to follow in his footsteps and bring Olympic glory to India. With her sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Shambhavi is not just chasing medals, she is chasing history. 

In a world that often questions women’s strength, Shambhavi Kshirsagar has fired a response - bold, beautiful, and unmissable. She is the present voice and the future of Indian shooting!