Bhavesh Shekhawat Tops Stage 1 in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol at National Selection Trials T3
Synopsis
In a thrilling start to the National Selection Trials T3, Bhavesh Shekhawat leads the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event with an impressive score. Olympians and national champions vie for spots on the national team as trials progress.
Key Takeaways
Bhavesh Shekhawat leads the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol after Stage 1.
Olympians and national champions are competing for selection.
The trials are taking place at Dr.
Karni Singh Shooting Ranges .
Coaching camps for selected athletes will start soon.
Upcoming events include the ISSF World Cup Shotgun in Morocco.
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) – Bhavesh Shekhawat has emerged as the frontrunner after Stage 1 in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol competition at the National Selection Trials T3, which commenced at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in the National Capital Region on Friday.
The shooter hailing from Rajasthan amassed a score of 294 – 11x (99, 99, 96) across the three series of the initial stage, securing his position at the top.
In second place is Olympian Anish Bhanwala, who scored 291-11x (97, 98, 96). Close behind, Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu also achieved a score of 291 (96, 98, 97) to take third place. National Champion Suraj Sharma followed with a score of 290-9x (98, 95, 97).
With a busy schedule of international and domestic events set to commence next month, nearly all of India’s elite shooters are participating in 10 events of the National Selection Trials 3 (Group A), which include all eight Olympic events, alongside rifle prone competitions for both men and women.
The athletes are competing to secure scores that will bolster their chances of selection for the national team for upcoming international events later this year.
In tandem, the Rifle/Pistol Selection Trials 3 and 4 for Group B participants also began on Friday, taking place at the M.P. State Shooting Academy in Bhopal until March 22, 2026. Once the selection trials conclude, athletes will enter a coaching camp in New Delhi from March 10 to 21, 2026.
The national camp for shotgun athletes kicked off in New Delhi on Thursday, with skeet shooters being the first to report. Trap shooters are scheduled to arrive for the national camp on March 8, 2026. This camp will precede the pre-event preparation for the ISSF World Cup Shotgun, the first World Cup of the year, slated to occur in Tangier, Morocco, from March 21 to April 3, 2026.
Earlier, the Indian teams for the first two Rifle/Pistol (Granada and Munich) and Shotgun (Tangier and Almaty) stages of the ISSF World Cup were announced.
In the ongoing National Selection Trials T3, the 10m rifle competitors are set to compete on Saturday, with qualification rounds and finals for Stage 2 along with the finals of the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event.
Additional Results from T3 Trials:
- Ankur Goel - 289-12x (99, 96, 94)
- Mukesh Nelavalli - 289-7x (99, 93, 97)
- Vijayveer Sidhu - 289-6x (100, 98, 91)
- Adarsh Singh - 289-4x (95, 97, 97)
- Pradeep Singh - 286-9x (97, 97, 92)
- Omkar Singh - 286-6x (98, 100, 88)
- Udhayveer Sidhu - 284-7x (97, 96, 91)
- Neeraj Kumar - 284-6x (98, 98, 88)
- Mandeep Singh - 281-7x (96, 96, 89)
Point of View
The performance of Bhavesh Shekhawat at the National Selection Trials T3 reflects not only his skills but also the intense competition among India's top shooters. With international events on the horizon, the stakes are high for all athletes involved.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event?
Bhavesh Shekhawat is currently leading the event after Stage 1 with a score of 294.
Where are the National Selection Trials being held?
The trials are taking place at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in the National Capital Region.
When will the coaching camp for national squad athletes start?
The coaching camp will commence in New Delhi from March 10 to 21, 2026.
Which events are included in the National Selection Trials?
The trials include all eight Olympic events as well as rifle prone competitions for both men and women.
What is the significance of these trials?
These trials are crucial for athletes aiming to secure positions on the national squad for international competitions later this year.
