Madhavi Latha wins gold at Telangana State Shooting Championship
Synopsis
Fighting a ligament tear in her right shoulder, Telangana BJP leader Madhavi Latha shot a 245/300 to claim gold in the Masters Women event at the 12th Telangana State Shooting Championship — and is already training for the pre-nationals. A politician-turned-competitive shooter making a case that age and injury are no barriers.
Key Takeaways
Madhavi Latha , Telangana BJP leader, won gold at the 12th Telangana State Shooting Championship in Hyderabad .
She competed in the 25m Pistol (Masters Women) event, scoring 245/300 at the SATS Shooting Range, Gachibowli .
Latha is training for the pre-national championships scheduled in approximately two months , despite a ligament tear in her right shoulder.
She credited her coach Prasanna and her roots as an NCC cadet for her return to competitive shooting.
Latha contested the 2024 Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate and was unsuccessful.
She also visited Upras Vyayam Shala , an Akhada institution active since 1975 , highlighting its role in youth development.
Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and social activist Madhavi Latha claimed a gold medal at the 12th Telangana State Shooting Championship, outperforming competitors in the 25m Pistol (Masters Women) category with a commanding score of 245/300 at the SATS Shooting Range in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
A Score That Stood Out
Latha's performance in the Masters Women event drew attention not just for the result but for the circumstances surrounding it. She is currently managing a ligament tear in her right shoulder, yet completed the championship and is already ramping up training for the pre-national championships scheduled within the next two months.
'I am currently at the gym preparing for the pre-nationals despite my shoulder injury. I want to demonstrate that determination can overcome any obstacle,' she said.
Roots in NCC, Return to the Range
Latha traced her connection to shooting back to her days as an NCC cadet, where she was first introduced to rifle practice during Republic Day training sessions. Decades later, she returned to competitive shooting with a clear sense of purpose.
'A politician must be adventurous and sporty, serving as an inspiration for the people. I questioned why age should be a barrier. Once you are mentally prepared, you can accomplish anything,' she remarked, crediting her coach Prasanna for guiding her preparation.
Beyond Personal Achievement
Latha, who contested as a BJP candidate from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 general elections, framed the medal as a collective milestone. 'It belongs to everyone who believed in me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and celebrated every step of my journey,' she said in a social media post, adding a message for women: 'To every woman chasing a dream, never let anyone define your limits. Believe in yourself, work hard, and keep aiming higher.'
Akhada Visit and a Broader Message
Separately, Latha shared visuals from a visit to Upras Vyayam Shala, an institution she noted has been nurturing athletes with 'discipline, strength and dedication since 1975.' She praised its role in preserving traditional Akhada culture and building character alongside physical strength. 'The strength of our youth is the strength of Bharat,' she said.
With the pre-national championships on the horizon, Latha's trajectory from political campaigner to competitive shooter marks an unusual crossover — one she appears determined to push further.
Point of View
Which tends to travel further on social media than any campaign rally clip. Whether this translates into electoral capital is a separate question, but as a strategy for staying visible between election cycles, it is more substantive than most.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madhavi Latha win at the Telangana State Shooting Championship?
Madhavi Latha won a gold medal in the 25m Pistol (Masters Women) event at the 12th Telangana State Shooting Championship, held at the SATS Shooting Range in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. Her winning score was 245/300.
Who is Madhavi Latha?
Madhavi Latha is a Telangana BJP leader and social activist who contested the 2024 Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency seat as a BJP candidate, though she was unsuccessful. She is also known for her work as a social activist.
How did Madhavi Latha get into shooting?
Latha traced her interest in shooting to her time as an NCC cadet, where she was introduced to rifle practice during Republic Day training sessions. She returned to competitive shooting as an adult, guided by her coach Prasanna.
Is Madhavi Latha competing despite an injury?
Yes. Latha is currently dealing with a ligament tear in her right shoulder but has continued training and is preparing for the pre-national championships scheduled approximately two months from the state championship.
What is Upras Vyayam Shala, which Madhavi Latha visited?
Upras Vyayam Shala is a traditional Akhada institution that Latha described as having nurtured athletes with discipline and dedication since 1975. She visited the facility and praised its role in building physical strength, character, and patriotism among youth.
