How Did National Selection Trials Unfold? Tilottama and Niraj Excel!
Synopsis
In an exhilarating display of talent, Tilottama Sen and Niraj Kumar triumphed at the National Selection Trials T1, showcasing their skills in 50m Rifle 3 Positions and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol events. With standout performances, these athletes continue to elevate India's stature in shooting sports. Discover their journey and achievements at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range!
Key Takeaways
Tilottama Sen continues her impressive performance in shooting.
Niraj Kumar secures victory in the men's category.
The trials were held under the new ISSF format .
Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu claimed the top position in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol .
The finals for 50m Rifle 3 Positions are scheduled for Wednesday.
New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) National champion Tilottama Sen showcased her exceptional skills in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event by winning the National Selection Trials T1 for Group A at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. Meanwhile, Niraj Kumar from the Navy triumphed in the men's category. In the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol T1, Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu claimed the top position.
The final for the 50m 3P was conducted under the new ISSF format, where Tilottama, who recently bagged 11 medals at the 68th National Shooting Championship, outperformed Ashi Chouksey by a narrow margin of 0.6 points. Tilottama achieved a score of 360.1, while Ashi scored 359.5. Manini Kaushik from Rajasthan secured third place with a score of 347.5.
Both Tilottama and Ashi had earlier qualified for the finals, finishing in the top two with scores of 594 and 592 respectively. The finalists also included Surabhi Bharadwaj Rapole from Railways (589, 311.7 in final), Vidarsa K. Vinod from Kerala (588, 336.3 in final), Ayushi Podder from Railways (588, 322.6 in final), Anjum Moudgil from Punjab (587, 204.7 in final), and Mansi Kathait from Railways (587, 299.2 in final).
Niraj Kumar dominated the men's division
Navy's Niraj Kumar exhibited remarkable consistency throughout the finals, finishing first with a final score of 360.5, which surpassed Adriyan Karmakar from West Bengal, who secured 356.9. National Champion Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar ended up in third place with a score of 346.7.
Aishwary, representing Madhya Pradesh, qualified for the finals with a score of 595, while Ganga Singh from the Army qualified second with a score of 593. Other finalists included Swapnil Kusale from Railways (592), Rudrankksh B. Patil from Maharashtra (592), Chain Singh from the Army (590), and Kiran Ankush Jadhav from Navy (588).
Sandhu triumphs in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol T1
The final of the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, also held in the new ISSF format, allowed eight shooters to qualify instead of six, with Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu from Punjab taking the lead. The 23-year-old scored 29 in the finals, outperforming Vijayveer Sidhu, who scored 27.
Mandeep Singh from Haryana claimed third place with a score of 20 after a shoot-off against National Champion Suraj Sharma, who ended with 18. Other finalists included Udayveer Sidhu (14), Neeraj Kumar (11), Omkar Singh (7), and Ankur Goel.
Additional results:
50m Rifle Prone Men T2
1. Swapnil Suresh Kusale (Railways) – 628.5
2. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (Madhya Pradesh) – 628.3
3. Nikhil Tanwar (Navy) – 625.4
50m Rifle Prone Women T2
1. Anjum Moudgil (Punjab) – 625.1
2. Nupur Kumrawat (M.P) – 624.2
3. Ashi Chouksey (M.P) – 622.9
The finals for the 50m Rifle 3 Positions (T2) for both men and women are scheduled for Wednesday, alongside the T1 finals of the 25m Pistol Women.
Point of View
The achievements of Tilottama Sen and Niraj Kumar at the National Selection Trials underline the growing prominence of shooting sports in India. Their exceptional performances reflect not only personal dedication but also the rigorous training and support systems in place. As the nation continues to invest in sports development, these athletes serve as inspiring examples for the next generation.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event?
Tilottama Sen won the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event at the National Selection Trials T1.
What was Niraj Kumar's achievement?
Niraj Kumar secured the top spot in the men's event at the National Selection Trials.
Where were the trials held?
The National Selection Trials were held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
How did Rajkanwar Singh perform?
Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu won the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol T1 event.
What is the significance of these trials?
The trials are crucial for selecting athletes for upcoming national and international competitions.
