Asian Championship: Amanpreet Secures Gold as India Dominates 25m Centre Fire Event
In a stunning display of skill and precision, Amanpreet Singh clinched the gold medal in the 25m centre fire event during the Asian Championship, marking a monumental achievement in his shooting career. The 38-year-old shooter posted an impressive score of 589, narrowly defeating fellow Indian Olympian Gurpreet Singh, who earned silver with a score of 584. Ankur Goel rounded out the podium, securing bronze with a score of 570, thereby completing India's clean sweep in this category.
India's Dominance in the Championship
The success did not stop at individual accolades; the Indian trio also dominated the team event, amassing a remarkable 1743 points to secure the gold medal. In contrast, Vietnam captured the silver with a total of 1671 points.
India concluded the Championship on a high note, collecting a total of seven medals on the final day alone, culminating in an impressive overall tally of 33 medals in the senior rifle and pistol events, comprising 13 gold, 11 silver, and nine bronze.
Outstanding Performances from Other Indian Shooters
In a thrilling showdown, ace shooter Sift Kaur Samra showcased her talent in the women’s 50m rifle prone event, securing a well-deserved silver medal. Samra fired a commendable 623.2, missing the gold by a mere 0.2 points as Kazakhstan's Yelizaveta Bezrukova edged ahead with a score of 623.4.
Adding to India's medal tally, seasoned shooter Tejaswini Sawant demonstrated exceptional poise to clinch bronze with a score of 621.0. This achievement marked her first podium finish since the 2021 World Cup in New Delhi, where she won gold in the 50m Rifle 3-Positions Mixed Team event.
Team Success in Women's 50m Rifle Prone Event
The dynamic Indian trio of Samra, Sawant, and Jaipur shooter Manini Kaushik displayed remarkable teamwork, clinching team gold with an aggregate score of 1862.9. They narrowly defeated Kazakhstan, who finished with 1862.8, showcasing the fierce competition.
Junior Achievements: Dhavalika Devi Shines
In the junior category, Dhavalika Devi earned a bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle junior prone event, scoring 614.1. Kazakhstan dominated the top two spots, with Tomiris Amanova taking gold with 620.1 and Darya Ponomarenko securing silver at 615.4.
Another noteworthy performance came from Khwaish Sharma, who competed in the RPO (Ranking Points Only) category. She fired an impressive 618.1, finishing third; however, she was ineligible for a medal as RPO competitors do not contest for podium finishes. Hailing from Fatehpur Shekhawati in Rajasthan, Khwaish expressed her excitement about her journey, crediting her coach, Monika Jakhar, and her supportive family for their unwavering belief in her abilities.
Junior Women’s Prone Team Victory
The junior women’s prone team, comprising Dhavalika, Prachi Gaikwad, and Anushka Thokur, also excelled, winning gold with a combined score of 1835.6, edging out Kazakhstan by just 1 point.
India's outstanding performances at the Asian Championship not only underscore the country's dominance in shooting sports but also highlight the dedication and talent of its shooters, paving the way for future successes.