India achieved an unprecedented feat at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, by winning a staggering 50 gold medals. This historic haul enabled India to top the medal tally for the very first time in the tournament’s history, outperforming traditional shooting giants like China and Kazakhstan.
The Indian team clinched a total of 99 medals across all categories, including 50 golds, 26 silvers, and 23 bronzes, marking its best-ever performance at this continental event. This victory reflects India’s rapid ascendancy in the shooting sport, both at the senior and junior levels.
Stellar Performances and Record-Breaking Achievements
India’s success was driven by several outstanding individual performances. Veteran Gurpreet Singh doubled his gold medal tally by winning both the individual and team titles in the men’s 25m standard pistol event. Adding to the glory was Ankur Mittal’s world record-breaking gold in the men’s Double Trap event on the final day, an extraordinary achievement that highlighted India’s competitive edge.
Elavenil Valarivan set a new Asian record while defending her title in the women’s air rifle event, inspiring the team further. Notably, Neeru Dhanda secured India’s first-ever gold in the women’s trap event, while junior shooters like Payal Khatri swept the women’s 25m pistol podium at the junior level, demonstrating the depth in Indian shooting talent.
Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), stated, “This is a spectacular performance that reflects the confidence and strength of our shooting ecosystem, boosted significantly by recent successes such as those at the Paris Olympics.” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also lauded the team’s effort, emphasising the importance of continued support for nurturing young athletes.
Investment and Vision: The Foundation of India’s Success
India’s dominating performance is the result of a sustained commitment over the past decade towards building a world-class shooting infrastructure and ecosystem. The delegation to the championship comprised 35 senior shooters competing in 15 events and 129 junior athletes, showcasing India’s extensive efforts to widen the talent pool.
The strategy of promoting grassroots development, intensive training camps, and international exposure has transformed Indian shooters into consistent medal contenders. Industry experts remark that India’s success is not just about immediate results but nurturing a resilient, long-term sporting culture that equips athletes from the junior ranks to excel on big stages.
Emerging Champions and Team Triumphs
Beyond the top champions, India’s depth in shooting talent was on full display with multiple athletes contributing to the historic medal tally.
Junior women shooters Naamya Kapoor, Payal Khatri, and Tejaswani swept the medals in the Junior Women’s Sports Pistol event, highlighting strong youth performances. Additionally, the men’s 25m centre fire pistol team, led by Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu’s individual gold, claimed the team gold, underscoring India’s collective strength across disciplines and age groups. These victories illustrate a broad and promising future for Indian shooting on the continental and global stage.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India’s landmark achievement at the Asian Shooting Championship is a shining example of collective will, strategic vision, and the power of opportunity. It shows how young talents, when given the right mix of encouragement, training, and infrastructure, can rise to become champions.
The Logical Indian views this accomplishment as a beacon of hope and inspiration, an invitation to broaden sporting cultures that foster harmony, resilience, and unity through healthy competition.
A proud moment for Indian Shooting!
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) August 31, 2025
Indian senior & junior shooters shone bright at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship, clinching a total of 99 medals🏅.
Super proud of you all!#IndianShooting #Sports #GameOn@mansukhmandviya @khadseraksha @OfficialNRAI pic.twitter.com/fDUpPhDsZF
