India Achieves Strong Performance at 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Championships

India recently hosted and concluded the 2026 Asian Rifle and Pistol Championships in New Delhi. The competition lasted for about two weeks, beginning on February 2 and ending on February 14. The event was held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, a prominent venue for shooting sports. Indian shooters performed very well over the course of the championships, winning a total of 94 medals. These medals included 51 gold, 23 silver, and 20 bronze. The strong medal tally shows India's talent and dedication in shooting sports. On the final day of the championships, Indian athletes secured seven medals. The breakdown of these medals was six gold, three silver, and four bronze. This was a remarkable effort and contributed significantly to India’s total medal count. Indian shooters excelled in many events, demonstrating their skill and precision. In the men's 25-meter Centre Fire Pistol event, Indian shooters took the top three positions. Amanpreet Singh won gold with a score of 589 with 24 inner hits. Gurpreet Singh earned silver with a score of 584 with 20 inner hits, and Ankur Goel won bronze with a score of 570 and 11 inner hits. These athletes also helped India win team gold in the same event, showing the strength of Indian shooting teams. In the women's 50-meter Rifle Prone event, Indian shooters also performed exceptionally. Sift Kaur Samra finished with a silver medal, scoring 623.2. Tejaswini Sawant won bronze with a score of 621.0. The gold medal was won by Kazakhstan’s Yelizaveta Bezrukova. The Indian team of Sift Kaur Samra, Tejaswini Sawant, and Manini Kaushik combined their scores to win the team gold medal, with a total of 1862.9 points. The junior category saw India continue its success. In the men's 25-meter Pistol event for juniors, Suraj Sharma claimed gold with a score of 585 with 25 inner hits. Mukesh Nelavalli secured silver with 582 and 21 inner hits, while Abhinav Deshwal earned bronze with 573 and 17 inner hits. These results highlight India’s talent at the youth level. In the junior women’s 50-meter Rifle Prone event, Dhavalika Devi Nyamurus won bronze with a score of 614.1. India’s team of Prachi Gaikwad, Anuskha Thokur, and Devi finished with the team gold medal, showing dominance in the junior team events. Overall, India’s performance at the championships included 33 medals in senior rifle and pistol events alone—13 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze. This medal tally reflects India’s strong presence in the sport and its ability to compete at the highest levels in the Asian region. The success at this event is an important sign of India’s growing talent in shooting sports. It also helps promote the sport further across the country, encouraging young athletes to pursue shooting as a competitive sport. The championships have contributed to India’s reputation as a strong competitor in the Asian shooting community. The 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Championships took place over a period of nearly two weeks in the Indian capital. The event brought together top shooters from many Asian countries, providing a platform for healthy competition and skill development. India’s outstanding performance in both senior and junior categories demonstrates the country’s dedication and progress in shooting sports. As the championships conclude, Indian shooters are likely to continue their training and aim for even higher achievements in future international events. This success story not only reflects individual excellence but also highlights the importance of supporting shooting sports through proper training, facilities, and encouragement.