Jakarta: In a remarkable display of skill and precision, Indian shooters left an indelible mark at the Asian Shooting Championships 2024 held in Jakarta, Indonesia from January 8 to 17. Not only did they clinch an impressive tally of 26 medals, but they also secured four coveted Olympic quotas for the country, further solidifying India’s prowess in the sport.
The Indian contingent’s stellar performance included a staggering 14 gold, seven silver, and five bronze medals across various categories, making it a historic outing for the nation. The championships, which also served as the qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics for rifle and pistol disciplines, witnessed India’s shooters rising to the occasion and delivering exceptional results.
Varun Tomar and Esha Singh emerged as standout performers, clinching gold medals in the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol events, respectively. Their stellar performances not only added to India’s medal count but also secured crucial Olympic quotas. Joining them in this feat were Rhythm Sangwan in the women’s 10m air pistol category and Vijayveer Sidhu in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol event.
This successful campaign at the Asian Shooting Championships has catapulted India’s overall tally of Olympic quotas in shooting to an impressive 17 for the Paris 2024 Summer Games – a historic achievement and the country’s best-ever performance in the sport.
Among the rifle shooters, 19-year-old Nancy showcased exceptional talent by claiming the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event. Akhil Sheoran continued India’s dominance by securing the top spot in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, while Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar settled for silver, further contributing to India’s medal haul.
In addition to Olympic events, the Asian Shooting Championships 2024 also featured competitions in non-Olympic categories. Yogesh Singh’s remarkable performance stood out as he claimed gold in both the men’s 25m centre fire pistol and 25m standard pistol events.
Following this triumph in Jakarta, Indian shooters are now gearing up for the Asian Shotgun Championships 2024 in Kuwait City. The focus shifts to trap and skeet events, as the athletes aim to secure more quotas and add to the country’s growing list of accomplishments in the world of shooting sports. The stellar performances at these championships not only underscore India’s dominance in the Asian shooting arena but also set the stage for heightened expectations at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.