Who topped at the National Shooting Trials in Dehradun?
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Synopsis
In a gripping showdown at the National Shooting Trials in Dehradun, Olympian Rahi Sarnobat, Asian champion Mehuli Ghosh, and Navy's Niraj Kumar claimed top honors. Discover the thrilling performances that defined Day 5 at Trishul Shooting Range and the fierce competition among India’s best shooters.
Key Takeaways
- Rahi Sarnobat excels in women's 25m pistol final.
- Mehuli Ghosh claims victory in women's 10 air rifle finals.
- Niraj Kumar dominates the men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
- Strong competition seen among top shooters.
- Upcoming events include men's 3P finals and 10m Air Pistol qualifications.
Dehradun, June 28 (NationPress) Olympian Rahi Sarnobat, the mixed team rifle Asian champion Mehuli Ghosh, and Navy’s Niraj Kumar emerged victorious in their individual finals during Day 5 of the National Selection Trials 3&4 for Group A Rifle and Pistol shooters at the Trishul Shooting Range in Raipur.
In the women’s 25m pistol T4 final, Rahi Sarnobat, the 2018 Asian Games gold medallist, showcased a composed and exceptional performance, scoring 40 hits to finish six points ahead of Maharashtra’s Abhidnya Ashok Patil, who had 34 points. Haryana’s Vibhuti Bhatia completed the podium with a score of 27.
Earlier in the qualification round, Rahi and Olympian Rhythm Sangwan were neck and neck, both scoring 582. Rhythm clinched the top qualification spot due to her 18 inner 10 hits, surpassing Rahi by two additional 10s. Anjali Choudhary and Vibhuti Bhatia also achieved identical scores of 579-17x, with Anjali securing third place based on inner hit counts.
The finals also featured Ishneet Aulakh (578-16x), Heena Sidhu (577-10x), Abhidnya Ashok Patil (576-21x), and Chinki Yadav (576-14x).
In the women’s 10 air rifle (ARW), Mehuli Ghosh triumphed with a score of 253.6 in the T4 finals, after finishing second in qualifications, just 0.2 behind Olympian Ramita Jindal (633.5). Meghana M. Sajjanar from Railways secured the second position with 253.1, while Sonam Uttam Maskar clinched third with 231.4, narrowly surpassing Ramita (210) by 0.1 during the eliminations.
The qualification leaderboard featured Ramita, followed by Mehuli, Meghana (631.9), and Sonam (631.6). Tilottama Sen (631.4), Kashika Pradhan (631.1), T3 winner Narmada Nithin (630.5), and Rajshree Anilkumar (630.1) rounded out the T4 final lineup.
Navy shooter Niraj Kumar delivered a stellar performance in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) Men T3 final, scoring 463.9 to take home the top honors against a competitive field. He maintained his composure during the 45-shot final, outperforming Army’s Babu Singh Panwar, who topped the qualification with an impressive 591-32x but finished second in the final with 457.3. Two-time Olympian Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar secured third place with a score of 447.0.
The T3 qualifiers featured a tightly contested field, with Paris Olympic bronze medallists Swapnil Kusale (590-42x) and Niraj (590-35x) closely trailing Babu Singh. Nikhil Tanwar (589-39x), Surya Pratap Singh Banshtu (589-27x), Rudrankksh Patil (587-30x), and Pratham Bhadana (587-30x) made up the top eight.
The same group of competitors is set to return tomorrow (Sunday, June 29, 2025) for the T4 qualification and final round of the men’s 3P event, alongside the 10m Air Pistol T3 qualifications and finals in both men’s and women’s categories.
Point of View
The National Shooting Trials not only highlight the prowess of our athletes but also showcase the depth of talent in Indian shooting sports. The performances of Rahi, Mehuli, and Niraj are commendable, reflecting years of dedication and hard work. Such events are crucial in shaping the future of our sports and fostering a competitive spirit among emerging shooters.
NationPress
28/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What events were held during the National Shooting Trials?
The National Shooting Trials included various events for Group A Rifle and Pistol shooters, such as the women's 25m pistol, women's 10 air rifle, and men's 50m rifle 3 Positions.
Who were the standout performers at the trials?
Standout performers included Olympian Rahi Sarnobat, Mehuli Ghosh, and Niraj Kumar, all of whom secured top positions in their respective events.
Where were the National Shooting Trials held?
The National Shooting Trials took place at the Trishul Shooting Range in Raipur, Dehradun.
What is the significance of these trials?
These trials serve as a platform for shooters to qualify for national teams and gain experience in high-stakes competitions.
When will the next rounds of shooting competitions occur?
The shooters will return for the T4 qualification and finals for the men's 3P event, alongside the 10m Air Pistol T3 qualifications and finals.
