Gadkari hails India's silver in Men's 50m Rifle 3P Team at Asian Games
Synopsis
India's Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team of Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, and debutant Niraj Kumar won silver at Asian Games 2026. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari praised their discipline, consistency, and collective effort on September 25, 2026.
Key Takeaways
India wins silver in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at the Asian Games 2026 .
The medal-winning trio comprises Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar , Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil , and Niraj Kumar .
Niraj Kumar made his Asian Games debut in this event, making the silver medal especially significant.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari hailed the result as built on 'discipline, consistency and collective effort.' Shooting continues to be one of India's stronger disciplines at the Asian Games across recent editions.
Silver at the Asian Games — and for one shooter, a debut he will never forget. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari took to X on Friday, September 25 to congratulate the Indian trio of Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, and Niraj Kumar for clinching silver in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at the Asian Games 2026.
Gadkari's post called it 'a remarkable result built on discipline, consistency and collective effort' — and reserved a pointed shout-out for Niraj Kumar, who stepped onto the Asian Games stage for the very first time and walked away with a medal around his neck.
Three shooters, one podium
The Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions is among the most technically demanding events in competitive shooting. Athletes must fire from prone, standing, and kneeling positions, demanding not just accuracy but an almost meditative consistency across rounds. A team medal here reflects months — sometimes years — of synchronised preparation. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar has been one of India's steadier presences on the international rifle circuit, building a reputation across World Cup stages. Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil brings a combination of junior pedigree and senior experience that has made him a reliable name in Indian rifle squads. Together with Niraj Kumar, the trio delivered a performance worthy of the continental podium.Niraj Kumar's debut that made history
The real headline within the headline is Niraj Kumar. Debuting at the Asian Games is pressure enough. Debuting and finishing with a silver medal? That is the stuff of highlight reels. Gadkari's special mention underlines what the shooting community already knows: a maiden Games medal is as rare as it is defining for a career trajectory.Ministers, medals, and a social media tradition
Gadkari's congratulatory post fits a well-established pattern in Indian public life — ministers across portfolios regularly use their platforms to amplify athlete achievements, channelling the moment into national pride. Shooting has been one of India's more dependable disciplines at recent Asian Games cycles, with multiple podium finishes in prior editions. Each medal adds a layer of expectation and momentum heading into remaining events. With India's shooters still in action at the Asian Games 2026, the pressure on the team — and the excitement for fans — is only building. One silver down; the next target already in the crosshairs.Point of View
Not just established names. For India's shooting programme, each Asian Games podium reinforces the case for sustained institutional support heading into future Olympic cycles. The cross-portfolio ministerial engagement also reflects the government's deliberate effort to frame sports success as a whole-of-nation story.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won silver in Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team at Asian Games 2026?
India's team of Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, and Niraj Kumar won the silver medal in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at the Asian Games 2026.
Is this Niraj Kumar's first Asian Games?
Yes, Niraj Kumar made his Asian Games debut in this event, and he won a silver medal on his very first appearance at the continental Games.
What is the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event?
It is a shooting discipline where athletes fire from three positions — prone, standing, and kneeling — over 50 metres, testing both precision and consistency across all three stances.
Why did Nitin Gadkari congratulate the shooting team?
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari posted on X to celebrate India's silver medal and specifically highlighted Niraj Kumar's debut Asian Games medal as unforgettable.
How has India performed in shooting at recent Asian Games?
Shooting has been one of India's stronger disciplines at recent Asian Games editions, with the country recording multiple podium finishes across rifle and pistol events in prior cycles.
