Image Source: Times of India
In an exceptional display of skill and dominance, India has etched its name in the history books by securing a staggering 50 gold medals at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. This historic achievement marks the first time India led the medal tally at this prestigious continental event, showcasing the nation’s rise as a powerhouse in the sport of shooting. Over a thrilling 12-day competition, Indian shooters not only shattered records but also demonstrated depth and prowess across senior, junior, and youth categories. The overall medal haul reached an impressive 99, including 26 silver and 23 bronze medals, underscoring India’s comprehensive success.
Key Highlights of India’s Historic Performance
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India topped the gold medal count at the championship with 50 golds, surpassing traditional rivals like China and host nation Kazakhstan.
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The total medal count stood at 99, including 26 silver and 23 bronze medals.
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Senior Indian shooters excelled especially in Olympic events, winning 6 golds, 2 silvers, and 3 bronzes.
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The juniors dominated the Olympic disciplines with 10 golds, 4 silvers, and 3 bronzes.
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Record-breaking performances included a world record by Ankur Mittal in men’s double trap.
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Remarkable individual golds were won by shooters such as Sift Kaur Samra in 50m Rifle 3P, Elavenil Valarivan’s Asian record in women’s air rifle, and Neeru Dhanda’s first gold in women’s trap.
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Team events saw India clinch gold in multiple categories, reflecting strong collective strength.
Dominance Across Categories
Senior Team Triumphs
The senior Indian shooting team delivered a sterling performance across the 15 Olympic shooting events comprising rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines. Six gold medals highlighted their efforts, contributing significantly to the historic haul. Noteworthy among seniors was Elavenil Valarivan, who secured her second Asian title in women’s air rifle with a new Asian record score. Neeru Dhanda clinched India’s first-ever gold in women’s trap shooting, a landmark achievement for the nation. Sift Kaur Samra also created history by winning the gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event. Additionally, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar successfully defended his men’s 3P title, affirming his dominance in the discipline.
Juniors Shine Bright
India’s junior shooters confirmed the future of shooting in the country looks immensely promising. They dominated the Olympic events with a phenomenal tally of 10 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Their triumphant performances across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events point to a deep pool of talent ready to elevate Indian shooting on the global stage in the coming years.
Youth and Non-Olympic Events
Indian shooters also excelled in youth and non-Olympic categories, further extending the medal tally. Outstanding performances came from former world champion Ankur Mittal, who not only won men’s double trap gold with a world record score of 107 hits but also contributed to team bronze in the double trap team event.
Team Achievements
India’s cohesive team efforts brought home numerous gold medals, with combined performances in standard pistol and rifle events. The 25m center fire pistol team consisting of Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu, Gurpreet Singh, and Ankur Goel secured team gold, while the team title also came in the men’s 25m standard pistol, featuring Gurpreet Singh, Amanpreet Singh, and Harsh Gupta. The women also contributed strongly with Manini Kaushik, Surabhi Bhardwaj, and Vidarsa Vinod winning a silver in the 50m rifle prone team event, reinforcing India’s strength in team contests.
Historic Significance and Future Outlook
India’s extraordinary medal haul at the Asian Shooting Championship 2025 signals a watershed moment for the nation’s shooting fraternity. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India, remarked that this spectacular showing reflects soaring confidence and is fueled by the momentum gained from outstanding performances at the recent Paris Olympics. The remarkable feats by juniors and seniors alike herald a new era of shooting brilliance for India, promising continued success at major global tournaments.
Medal Tally Summary
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Gold Medals: 50
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Silver Medals: 26
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Bronze Medals: 23
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Total Medals: 99
Competitor Insights and Overall Standings
India’s 99-medal haul was the highest at the championship, with Kazakhstan finishing second with 70 medals including 21 golds, and China third with 37 medals and 15 golds. This achievement was realized among participation from 27 countries, with a total of 748 athletes competing across 120 events in youth, junior, and senior categories.
With this breakthrough performance, India has firmly established itself as a dominant shooting nation in Asia and sent a clear message of intent on the global sporting map. The upcoming years will witness India building on this foundation as emerging talent from juniors seamlessly transition into senior ranks, elevating India’s standing in the shooting world.
Source: Newsonair, NDTV, Olympics.com, Times of India
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