Cairo: India’s Samrat Rana etched his name in the history books by winning the men’s 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo on Monday — becoming the first Indian ever to clinch an individual world title in the event.
In a dramatic final, the 22-year-old debutant scored 243.7, edging past China’s Hu Kai by just 0.4 points, while compatriot Varun Tomar secured the bronze medal with a score of 221.7.
“This is a dream come true,” Rana said after his victory. “It was my first senior World Championships, and I still can’t believe I’ve won gold. I just focused on my technique, ignored the scoreboard, and trusted my process.”
A Composed Finish Under Pressure
Rana began the final strongly, leading after the first two elimination rounds. But midway through the contest, he briefly slipped to third with a score of 181.2, trailing Tomar by 0.2 points. Showing remarkable calm and precision, Rana fought back with two perfect 10.9 shots, reclaiming the lead.
With the title hanging in the balance, Rana needed at least 10.3 on his final attempt to secure gold — and he delivered a 10.6, sealing India’s place atop the podium.
Historic Achievement
Rana’s win makes him only the fifth Indian shooter to become a World Champion in an Olympic shooting discipline, joining legends Abhinav Bindra, Rudrankksh Patil, Tejaswini Sawant, and the mixed team pair of Shiva Narwal and Esha Singh.
“This victory reflects the growing depth and maturity of India’s shooting ecosystem,” said an NRAI official. “Rana’s poise under pressure was outstanding and shows how well our young shooters are adapting to the global stage.”
Mixed Fortunes for India’s Shooting Contingent
While Rana and Tomar’s success brought cheer, India’s Olympic medallists endured a tougher day.
In the women’s 10m air pistol, Manu Bhaker led the field midway but dropped to seventh after an uncharacteristic 8.8 on her 14th shot. Esha Singh finished sixth following an 8.4 on her 16th attempt.
In the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, Swapnil Kusale exited early after shooting 575 in the elimination round. However, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar, both scoring 592, advanced to the qualification stage.
A New Generation of Champions
Rana’s triumph underscores the emergence of a new generation of Indian shooters capable of taking on the world’s best. Having risen through the junior ranks, his consistent performances in national trials and ISSF World Cups have now culminated in this landmark achievement.
India’s overall medal tally in Cairo continues to rise, reinforcing its position as one of the powerhouses in global shooting.
With the Paris 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the performance of athletes like Rana and Tomar promises a bright future for Indian shooting — one built on precision, patience, and quiet determination.
