INDIA HAS made a resounding statement on the global stage at the ongoing ISSF World Championships, showcasing depth, precision, and nerves of steel. In a high-stakes Tuesday session, the Indian contingent stormed the podium twice, securing a brilliant gold medal in the men’s 50m pistol team event and a hard-fought silver in the women’s 10m air rifle team competition. These performances have propelled India to the second spot in the overall medal standings, signaling that the nation’s shooters are ready to challenge the established global powers.
With one gold and two silver medals now in the bag, India sits firmly behind China, who currently lead the table with five medals, including three golds. The atmosphere in the host city, Doha, has been electric, as this championship serves as the most significant qualification event to date for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
Ravinder spearheads golden march
The men’s 50m pistol event saw an exceptional display of teamwork and individual brilliance. The Indian trio of Ravinder Singh, seasoned star Saurabh Chaudhary, and Amanpreet Singh proved to be a class apart, combining for a total score of 1,659.
Ravinder was the standout performer, spearheading the team’s surge with a brilliant score of 559, bolstered by 11 inner 10s. Saurabh Chaudhary, a name synonymous with excellence in international shooting circles, contributed a solid 551, while Amanpreet Singh rounded off the effort with a crucial 549. Their collective resolve left little room for error, comfortably outpacing the Chinese team, who finished with 1,648 for silver, while South Korea settled for bronze with 1,643.
For Ravinder, the day was one to remember. Beyond his team gold, he claimed the individual silver medal. His score of 559 saw him finish just two points adrift of gold medalist Anton Aristarkhov of the Authorised Neutral Athletes (AIN), who shot a 561 to take the top honors. Romania’s Luca Joldea rounded out the individual podium with a score of 558. While the 50m pistol event remains outside the Olympic program, this victory serves as a massive morale booster for the Indian shooting squad as they look ahead to the Olympic events.
Women’s rifle squad seals silver
The women’s 10m air rifle team proved their mettle against world-class competition, securing a prestigious silver medal. The trio of Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, and Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar worked in tandem to post a combined score of 1,894.4.
While the powerhouse Chinese team secured the gold with a dominant 1,899.8, the Indian squad held their nerve under immense pressure to keep Japan (1,892.6) at bay, claiming the silver medal. Elavenil Valarivan was the heartbeat of the team’s effort in the qualification round, delivering a stellar performance of 634.2 points. Sonam Uttam Maskar added 630.5, while Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar contributed 629.7 to solidify their standing.
Elavenil eyes Olympic glory
For Elavenil, the work in Doha is far from over. Her qualification score of 634.2 placed her third overall, comfortably punching her ticket to the individual final. The stakes for this final could not be higher: it represents a golden opportunity for India to secure its first Olympic quota place of the championship.
The pressure will be immense when she steps onto the firing line, as this tournament represents the primary pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. With 36 total Olympic quota places available across the championships—three for each of the 12 individual Olympic events—every shot fired in these finals carries significant weight. Given that India did not have the opportunity to secure quotas during the recent Asian Games, the team is under immense pressure to capitalize on the opportunity in Doha. According to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the nation has the potential to secure up to 12 Olympic berths, provided they perform to their potential in these high-pressure individual finals.
A mixed day for the rifle team
While the celebrations were well-deserved for the men’s pistol team and the women’s rifle squad, the day proved challenging for the men’s 10m air rifle team. The trio of Rakesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, and Paarth Makhija faced a tough outing, failing to navigate the qualification round for either the team or the individual finals.
Despite the setback, the overall mood within the Indian camp remains one of quiet confidence. With the competition reaching its climax and individual Olympic quota spots on the line, the eyes of the sporting world are firmly fixed on the Indian shooters. If the performances in the team events are any indication, India is well-positioned to continue its ascent in the medal tally and establish its dominance on the road to Los Angeles.
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