Shymkent, Kazakhstan: India has cemented its position as the leading nation at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship, thanks to a stunning performance by its teenage shooters on Thursday. Indian athletes secured four of the five available gold medals, bringing the country’s total medal haul to a commanding 26. With 14 gold, six silver, and six bronze medals, India now sits comfortably atop the championship standings.
The day’s gold rush began with a stellar performance from young Abhinav Shaw. In the junior men’s 10m air rifle event, Shaw’s qualifying score not only secured him a spot in the final but also, along with teammates Naraen Pranav and Himanshu, set a new junior world and Asian record with a combined team score of 1890.1. In a thrilling and nail-biting final, Shaw showcased incredible composure, ultimately clinching the gold by a razor-thin margin of 0.1 over South Korea’s Lee Hyunseo.
India’s dominance extended to the shotgun ranges, where Mansi Raghuwanshi won the junior women’s skeet final with 53 out of 60 targets. In a show of strength for the team, her compatriot, Yashasvi Rathore, secured the silver medal.
The junior men’s skeet team also found success, with Harmehar Singh Lally and Jyotiraditya Singh Sisodia taking home individual silver and bronze medals, respectively. They then combined with Atul Singh Rajawat to clinch the team gold, fending off a strong challenge from Kazakhstan.
While India’s senior shooters Rudrankksh Patil and Arjun Babuta failed to secure individual medals in the men’s 10m air rifle final, their stellar qualifying rounds contributed to another team gold for India.
This impressive showing by India’s young shooting talent demonstrates a bright future for the sport in the country and solidifies its status as a powerhouse in Asian shooting.
