Indian Shooters Shine at Asian Shooting Championship in Kazakhstan

India’s shooting contingent achieved remarkable success at the Asian Shooting Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, with Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and junior shooter Adriyan Karmakar clinching gold medals in their respective events. Aishwary secured the gold in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions competition, while Adriyan set an Asian junior record to win his first continental title.

Aishwary’s performance stood out as he dominated the 50m rifle event, finishing with a score of 462.5. His closest competitor, Wenyu Zhao from China, earned the silver with 462, and Japan’s Naoya Okada took bronze with 445.8. The 24-year-old Olympian consistently led the competition, particularly excelling in the kneeling position. Despite a less impressive showing in the prone position, his strong standing shots ensured he entered the final phase with a lead exceeding 1.5 points.

In addition to his individual victory, Aishwary also contributed to the Indian team’s performance. He, alongside teammates Chain Singh and Akhil Sheoran, secured the silver medal in the team event with a total score of 1747, just three points shy of China’s 1750. Aishwary qualified for the final in third place with a score of 584, while Chain Singh and Sheoran placed fifth and seventh, respectively.

Adriyan Karmakar showcased his talent in the junior men’s 3 positions event, clinching the gold medal with an impressive Asian junior record score of 463.8. He initially qualified in eighth place with a score of 576, but his exceptional performance in the final propelled him to victory. After the kneeling round, Adriyan led Han Yinan of China by 0.9 points. He maintained his advantage throughout the event, ultimately sealing the gold with a series of strong closing shots.

The junior team competition also saw success for India, with Adriyan, Vedant Waghmare, and Rohit Kanyan winning the team gold with a combined score of 1733. Vedant initially qualified second with a score of 582, and although he faced challenges during the final, he ultimately secured a bronze medal for his efforts.

In women’s events, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker added to India’s medal tally with two bronze medals earlier in the championship. She finished fourth in the women’s 25m pistol qualification after the precision stage.

This championship highlighted the strength of Indian shooters, showcasing their skill and determination on the continental stage. The achievements of Aishwary and Adriyan further cement India’s growing reputation in the sport.