The Indian shooting contingent suffered a major setback at the ongoing ISSF World Championship in Doha, Qatar, where rifle shooter Shambhavi Kshirsagar was disqualified from the 10m air rifle mixed team competition due to an equipment regulation breach. Out of the 63 competing pairs comprising 126 shooters, the Indian duo of Parth Mane and Shambhavi was the sole team to face disqualification after technical officials flagged her attire.
Second Equipment Violation in Five Months
This penalty marks the second time in five months that Shambhavi has been disqualified for gear non-compliance. In June, she encountered an identical penalty during the Junior World Championship held in Germany. The Doha championship holds added significance as it signals the start of the qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Notably, the mixed team format does not distribute Olympic quota spots, as all quotas are allocated exclusively in individual categories.
The ISSF Rigidity Regulations and Shooting Suits
The action was taken under ISSF rule 6.7.9.1.a, which governs the permissible stiffness and thickness of clothing worn by rifle marksmen. Shooters in this discipline rely on structured, rigid jackets and trousers commonly called shooting suits. These garments are designed to stabilise the body, minimise micro-movements of muscles, and provide physical support to manage the rifle's considerable weight during extended sessions. When any part of this gear exceeds strict flexibility parameters, the regulations mandate immediate disqualification. On the official scoresheet, administrators noted that athlete 1598 Shambhavi Kshirsagar of India was disqualified under ISSF rule 6.7.9.1.a.
Assurances in National Camp Followed by Inspection Failure
Providing context to the episode, Shambhavi's mother revealed that concerns regarding the gear had surfaced earlier during the national coaching camp, though the coaching staff had expressed confidence that the outfit would clear official checks. Shambhavi had acquired the new uniform roughly a month prior, and initial fitting discrepancies were addressed by cutting and trimming the fabric so it aligned with regulations. After arriving in Doha, the suit underwent two preliminary assessments. Right before the contest, officials found the fit still borderline, prompting coach Deepali Deshpande, who was present on site, to trim the outfit further to meet technical specifications.
Random Check Triggers Disqualification
Despite these last-minute alterations, a surprise equipment inspection by championship adjudicators revealed that the suit still breached legal limits, leading to her removal from the contest. Her mother noted that the turn of events closely mirrored the June incident in Germany. During the preparatory national camp, rifle coach Manoj Kumar had assured the athlete and family that there was no reason to worry and that the kit would comfortably pass inspection. That evaluation, however, failed to hold up when subjected to formal testing on the range in Doha.
