Rakitski finished with 239.6 points, edging India's Shiva Narwal by just 0.5 points, while another Indian athlete, Yug Pratap Singh Rathore, secured the bronze medal.
Rakitski entered the final as one of the strongest performers in the competition and demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the elimination stages. The Polish athlete maintained his composure under intense pressure, recovering from a low 8.7 late in the match to finish with a series of strong shots and secure the gold medal. The title represents the biggest achievement of his junior career and adds to an already successful championship that also saw him contribute to Poland's strong showing in the team events.
Rakitski entered the final as one of the strongest performers in the competition and demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the elimination stages. The Polish athlete maintained his composure under intense pressure, recovering from a low 8.7 late in the match to finish with a series of strong shots and secure the gold medal. The title represents the biggest achievement of his junior career and adds to an already successful championship that also saw him contribute to Poland's strong showing in the team events.
Silver medallist Shiva Narwal continued India's impressive run in pistol competitions at Suhl. Narwal remained in contention throughout the final and mounted a late challenge with several scores above 10.0, ultimately finishing just half a point behind the winner. Already recognised as one of India's most promising young pistol shooters, his silver medal further confirms his status as a future contender on the international stage.
The bronze medal went to Yug Pratap Singh Rathore, giving India two places on the podium. Rathore delivered some of the highest individual shots of the final, including a pair of 10.9s, and remained among the leaders until the final elimination stages. His performance highlighted the depth of India's junior pistol programme, which continues to produce world-class talent.
Hungary's Akos Karoly Nagy narrowly missed out on a medal after finishing fourth. The Hungarian athlete impressed throughout the competition and remained in podium contention until the closing stages of the final.
Fifth place went to Hsieh Hsiang-Chen of Chinese Taipei, who recovered brilliantly from an opening 7.1 to reach the latter stages of the contest and demonstrate impressive resilience under pressure.
Fifth place went to Hsieh Hsiang-Chen of Chinese Taipei, who recovered brilliantly from an opening 7.1 to reach the latter stages of the contest and demonstrate impressive resilience under pressure.
India placed a third athlete in the final through Harshraj Singh, who finished sixth and further underlined his nation's strength in the event. Kim Dongbin of the Republic of Korea placed seventh, while Kirill Tsukanov of Kazakhstan completed the final field in eighth.
Earlier in the championship, Poland also captured the team gold medal, giving the nation a memorable double success in the 10m Air Pistol Men Junior event. Led by Rakitski's outstanding 581, the Polish trio of Rakitski, Wiktor Lukasz Kopiwoda and Piotr Bujewicz combined for 1718-44x to finish just one point ahead of India, which secured silver with 1717-49x. The Republic of Korea completed the podium on 1714-56x, with Kim Dongbin leading the team effort.
Earlier in the championship, Poland also captured the team gold medal, giving the nation a memorable double success in the 10m Air Pistol Men Junior event. Led by Rakitski's outstanding 581, the Polish trio of Rakitski, Wiktor Lukasz Kopiwoda and Piotr Bujewicz combined for 1718-44x to finish just one point ahead of India, which secured silver with 1717-49x. The Republic of Korea completed the podium on 1714-56x, with Kim Dongbin leading the team effort.
The team competition proved one of the closest of the championship, with only four points separating the top four nations. Chinese Taipei finished fourth on 1711, while Hungary and Ukraine shared 1706, separated only by inner tens. Rakitski's individual title therefore capped a highly successful campaign for the Polish men's pistol squad, which demonstrated both individual brilliance and impressive team depth throughout the competition.
The result marks Poland's first individual gold medal of the championship and adds another memorable chapter to the ISSF Junior World Championship Suhl 2026, where the world's best young athletes continue to compete for junior world titles across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines.
The result marks Poland's first individual gold medal of the championship and adds another memorable chapter to the ISSF Junior World Championship Suhl 2026, where the world's best young athletes continue to compete for junior world titles across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines.