The national shooting trials at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi, held from August 9 to 13, offered a glimpse into what makes Indian shooting such a fiercely competitive sport.
With the Asian Games just around the corner, several athletes bound for the grand event were in action, giving them a great opportunity to prepare and keep themselves in practice before moving on to the big stage. However, some had opted out, with the national camp in Bhopal beginning just a day later.
For someone covering shooting from the ground for the first time, the experience was an eye-opener. Shooting is quite literally a game of fine margins. At these trials, a difference of 0.2 or 0.3 points could change positions on the leaderboard. Every shot mattered, and the competitiveness was visible across events.
The Asian Games-bound athletes naturally drew much of the attention. Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker finished on top in the women’s 10m air pistol, while Asian Games team gold medallist Rudrankksh B Patil continued to be among the prominent names in the 50m rifle 3 positions event.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the trials was watching the athletes outside the Asian Games squad push them all the way.
Kiran Ankush Jadhav, the 2024 National Championships gold medallist, was one such standout. Ravin Kumar of the Army also produced an impressive performance in another category. In the women’s 25m pistol, Simranpreet Kaur Brar and four-time ISSF World Cup gold medallist Rhythm Sangwan showed just how competitive the field is, while Shambhavi Shravan maintained her consistency to finish first in the 10m air rifle. Punjab’s Rajkanwar Singh and Udayveer Singh, both multiple ISSF World Cup medallists, were among those who underlined the depth of talent waiting in the wings.
One of the most encouraging performances that stood out was Sift Kaur Samra’s. Despite being a gold medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, she missed this edition’s squad due to her lower average. Samra looked back in her groove, securing first place in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, a small comeback arc of sorts.
Without the immediate pressure of an Asian Games selection at stake, many appeared relaxed, focused and willing to simply compete. And that showed in their performances. Some even pushed established names further down the leaderboard.
That is perhaps the real beauty of national trials. They are not just about selecting teams. They give athletes an opportunity to improve their averages, collect ranking points and, most importantly, remind everyone that there is always someone coming through.
The next few weeks will understandably belong to the Asian Games-bound contingent, and they deserve every bit of the attention and appreciation that comes their way. But covering these trials from the ground offered a different kind of satisfaction.
There may not be the same live coverage or spotlight here, but being able to watch athletes through their growing, struggling and breakthrough phases makes these events special. And who knows? Maybe the next generation of exceptional Indian shooters may already be finding their feet on these very ranges.
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