Rajnath Singh hails India's silver in 50m Rifle 3P Team
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated three Indian rifle shooters — Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil and Asian Games debutant Niraj Kumar — on clinching silver in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at Asian Games 2026.
Key Takeaways
India won silver in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at Asian Games 2026 .
The medal-winning trio comprised Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar , Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil , and debutant Niraj Kumar .
Niraj Kumar made his Asian Games debut in this event, making the silver medal especially notable.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the team on 25 September 2026 via X.
Rifle shooting continues to be one of India's reliable podium disciplines at the Asian Games.
Three Indian marksmen — Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, and debutant Niraj Kumar — brought home a silver medal in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at the Asian Games 2026, and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was among the first to salute the achievement on Friday, September 25.
A debut to remember for Niraj Kumar
Of the three, it is Niraj Kumar who stepped onto the Asian Games stage for the very first time — and immediately stepped onto the podium. Singh reserved a special note for him, calling it a 'memorable, medal-winning Asian Games debut.' Debuts rarely come with silver medals at continental multi-sport events; Kumar's composure under pressure will make him one to watch in the qualification cycles ahead.
Tomar and Patil anchor a seasoned pairing
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil are no strangers to high-stakes rifle shooting on the international circuit, with both having represented India across ISSF competitions. Their experience in the demanding 50m Rifle 3 Positions discipline — which requires athletes to shoot from kneeling, prone, and standing positions — provided the anchor for the team's silver-winning total. Paired with Kumar's debutant energy, the combination clearly clicked.
Shooting's consistent podium thread for India
Rifle shooting has been one of India's most reliable medal-producing disciplines at the Asian Games over successive editions, and this silver continues that thread at the 2026 edition. Indian ministers routinely use social media to amplify athletic success, and Singh's post — with its specific nod to 'precision, composure and teamwork' — reflects a deliberate pattern of public recognition designed to build sporting culture and morale back home. With India's campaign at Asian Games 2026 still unfolding, the shooting range has already delivered.
Point of View
Individually addressed congratulations — naming each shooter and calling out Kumar's debut specifically — reflects how senior government figures now use social media as a deliberate tool of sporting diplomacy, building athlete visibility beyond niche audiences. Shooting has long been a quiet engine of India's Asian Games medal haul, and public ministerial recognition helps sustain the pipeline of talent and institutional support the sport depends on. The 50m Rifle 3 Positions discipline is particularly demanding, and a podium finish at the Asian Games carries real qualification currency for future global cycles. India's consistency in rifle events suggests a structural investment in the sport that extends well beyond any single Games.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won silver in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event 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 Asian Games 2026.
Who is Niraj Kumar, the Asian Games debutant shooter?
Niraj Kumar is an Indian rifle shooter who made his Asian Games debut in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at Asian Games 2026, winning a silver medal on his first appearance.
What did Rajnath Singh say about India's shooting silver at Asian Games 2026?
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the team's 'precision, composure and teamwork' and offered a special congratulation to debutant Niraj Kumar for a 'memorable, medal-winning Asian Games debut.'
What is the 50m Rifle 3 Positions shooting event?
The 50m Rifle 3 Positions event requires athletes to shoot from three positions — kneeling, prone and standing — at a target 50 metres away, and is considered one of the most technically demanding rifle disciplines.
How has India performed in shooting at the Asian Games?
Shooting, particularly rifle events, has been one of India's most consistent medal-producing disciplines across multiple Asian Games editions, and this silver at Asian Games 2026 continues that strong tradition.
