Is the Indian Shooting Team Ready for the 25th Summer Deaflympic Games in Tokyo?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's contingent comprises 15 members.
- Led by Dhanush Srikanth, a notable Deaflympic champion.
- The team includes newcomers Komal Waghmare and Rudar.
- Participating in five individual and mixed-team events.
- India aims to build on its past success from the 2021 Deaflympics.
New Delhi, Nov 14 (NationPress) The Indian shooting team has officially departed for Tokyo, Japan, on Friday in preparation for the 25th Summer Deaflympic Games, taking place from November 15 to 26, 2025. This squad consists of 15 members, including three coaches, who will showcase their skills in five individual events across both the men's and women's categories, alongside one men's event and two mixed-team shooting competitions at the Ajinomoto National Training Center (East).
Leading the team is Dhanush Srikanth, a celebrated Deaflympic double gold medallist, who will spearhead India's efforts alongside fellow medalists Shourya Saini and Abhinav Deshwal. The contingent also includes accomplished athletes such as Mahit Sandhu, Anuya Prasad, Pranjali Dhumal, Natasha Joshi, Chetan Sapkal, Kushagra Singh Rajawat, and Mohammed Vania, making this one of the most experienced teams India has sent to the Games.
Additionally, two promising newcomers, Komal Waghmare and Rudar, will be making their international debuts, marking a significant milestone in the growth of India’s talent pool in deaf sports shooting. They will be coached by Anuja Jung, Priti Sharma, and Harmit Patel.
During the last Deaflympics held in Brazil in 2021, India secured five medals, including three golds in the men's 10m air rifle, men's 10m air pistol, and the 10m air rifle mixed event.
Event-wise squad:
Air rifle men:
Dhanush Srikanth
Mohammed Murtaza Vania
Air rifle women:
Mahit Sandhu
Komal Milind Waghmare
Air rifle mixed team:
Team 1: Mahit Sandhu & Dhanush Srikanth
Team 2: Komal Milind Waghmare & Mohammed Murtaza Vania
50m rifle prone men:
Shourya Saini
Kushagra Singh Rajawat
50m rifle prone women:
Mahit Sandhu
Natasha Joshi
50m rifle 3P men:
Shourya Saini
Kushagra Singh Rajawat
50m rifle 3P women:
Mahit Sandhu
Natasha Joshi
Air pistol men:
Abhinav Deshwal
Rudar
Air pistol women:
Pranjali Prashant Dhumal
Anuya Prasad
Air pistol mixed team:
Team 1: Pranjali Prashant Dhumal & Abhinav Deshwal
Team 2: Anuya Prasad & Rudar
25m pistol men:
Abhinav Deshwal
Chetan Hanmant Sapkal
25m pistol women:
Pranjali Prashant Dhumal
Anuya Prasad
Rapid-fire pistol men:
Chetan Hanmant Sapkal