New Delhi: In a landmark achievement for Indian sports, the Indian shooting contingent has concluded the 16th Asian Shooting Championships in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, with an unprecedented and record-breaking medal haul. The team secured a staggering 99 medals, including 50 gold, 26 silver, and 23 bronze, marking India’s most successful campaign ever at the continental event.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President, Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, lauded the exceptional performance of the athletes. “It is a spectacular performance,” said Shri Singh Deo. “It is quite clear that the confidence of the shooting ecosystem is sky-high and significantly boosted by our performance at the Paris Olympics. Particularly pleasing is the performance of the juniors, which tells you that Indian shooting has just begun and greater things are sure to come in the near future.”
The remarkable performance saw India top the medal tally for the first time in the championship’s history, a feat that showcases the nation’s rising dominance in the sport. The senior team’s performance was particularly notable, securing six gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in the 15 Olympic events, finishing second only to China.
Leading the charge for India were several standout athletes. Two-time Olympian Elavenil Valarivan claimed her second Asian title in women’s air rifle with an Asian record score, and also won a gold in the mixed team event with Arjun Babuta. Neeru Dhanda secured India’s first-ever Asian championship gold in women’s trap, while Sift Kaur Samra and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar also won gold in their respective rifle events. Ankur Mittal delivered a world record-shattering performance to clinch gold in the men’s double trap. The Indian juniors also demonstrated exceptional talent, contributing a significant number of medals to the overall tally, including 10 gold, four silver, and three bronze in the Olympic events.
India’s impressive tally of 99 medals is a significant increase from their previous outing at the 15th Asian Championships, where they won 35 fewer medals. This historic achievement not only solidifies India’s position as a major force in shooting but also serves as a testament to the talent, dedication, and strategic development within the country’s shooting ecosystem.