Munich, Germany, November 11, 2026: The International Shooting Sport Federation has announced that voting is officially open for Phase 2 of the 2026 ISSF Athlete of the Year People’s Choice Awards.
The announcement gives shooting sport fans around the world the opportunity to decide who will be recognised as this year's favourite male and female athlete.
Following the successful conclusion of Phase 1, 10 athletes have made the shortlist, with five nominees in each category - men and women. Now, the decision is in the hands of the fans.
China has two nominees in the men’s section, while India and Iran both have one, and India has four of the five nominees in the women’s category.
Men’s nominees
Liu Yukun (CHN)
Mane Shahu Tushar (IND)
Dimitri Dutendas (FRA)
Sheng Lihao (CHN)
Vahid Golkhandan (IRN)
Women’s nominees
Esha Singh (IND)
Sakshi Padekar (IND)
Elavenil Valarivan (IND)
Tilottama Sen (IND)
Joana Castelao (POR)
Voting runs from November 9 until November 18. At the end of the voting period, one male and one female athlete will be named the 2026 ISSF People’s Choice winners.
The People’s Choice categories are part of the wider 2026 ISSF Awards, which recognise athletes across eight categories: Pistol Men, Pistol Women, Rifle Men, Rifle Women, Shotgun Men, Shotgun Women, People’s Choice Men and People’s Choice Women.
While the six discipline-specific awards are decided through an internal voting process managed by the ISSF Athletes’ Committee, the People’s Choice awards give fans a direct voice in celebrating the athletes who have inspired them throughout the year.
(ISSF)