Five World Records Fall at Serbia Paralympic World Cup

The first World Cup of the 2026 season delivered the kind of performances that remind us why sports can be so electrifying.

In Novi Sad, Serbia, 291 athletes from 51 countries competed in shooting events that saw five world records tumble and new champions emerge. The competition offered vision impaired, rifle, and pistol shooters a crucial warmup for the upcoming World Championships.

Anna Benson opened the season with a bang, claiming gold in the women's 50m rifle three positions event. Despite shooting two 9.8s near the end of her final, she recovered with a perfect 10.5 on her last attempt to set a world record with 356 points. Poland's Emilia Babska finished second while Paralympic champions from Germany and China rounded out the top four.

Hungary's 22-year-old Csaba Rescsik proved age is just a number in the men's rifle three positions final. The young shooter fired five consecutive scores of 10 or higher, including back-to-back 10.7s, to set a world record of 353.8 and defeat two Paris 2024 medallists.

The team events delivered equally thrilling moments. Five-time Paralympic champion Veronika Vadovicova partnered with Radoslav Malenovsky to shoot a world record 507.6 for Slovakia in the mixed 10m air rifle prone event. China's legendary duo of Cuiping Zhang and Dong Chao finished just behind with 506.0.

Iran's four-time Paralympic champion Sareh Javanmardi teamed with Ali Galavi to set another world record of 465 in the mixed 10m air pistol final. Italy also celebrated double gold, including one world record through Pamela Novaglio and Gianluca Iacus.

Host nation Serbia had its own celebration when reigning Paralympic champion Dragan Ristic won the 50m rifle prone final in front of home fans. The crowd's energy proved that hometown support still matters at the highest levels of competition.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story special isn't just the records falling. It's watching veterans like Vadovicova, who has five Paralympic golds, competing alongside hungry newcomers like 22-year-old Rescsik. Uzbekistan's Shakhnoza Mamajonova upset two reigning Paralympic medallists to claim gold, while India's young shooter Nihal Singh earned his first World Cup podium finish.

Ukraine's Iryna Saltykova captured her thoughts perfectly after winning gold: "It was the first time with this final. It was fun, a little different from what we are used to, and I am happy that it was gold today." That joy in competition, that willingness to embrace new challenges while pursuing excellence, defines what para sport represents.

The season ahead promises even more thrilling performances from these remarkable athletes.