Indian pistol shooting icon Rahi Sarnobat has her sights firmly set on a demanding double assignment — the ISSF World Cup in China and the Asian Games — after a commanding display at the domestic selection trials. The former Asian Games gold medallist topped the T4 national selection trials in the women's 25m sports pistol event, reaffirming her standing as one of India's most consistent performers in the discipline.

Topping the Trials Under Pressure

Sarnobat's performance at the high-pressure T4 trials was defined not just by the scoreline but by the quality of her execution against a deep domestic field. She credited her result to disciplined process adherence rather than outcome chasing.

'Earning a place in the national team is never easy because our domestic trials are extremely competitive. More than the score itself, I was happy with how I executed my process under pressure. It reassured me that the work I have been putting in over the past few months is moving in the right direction. The focus now is to keep improving and carry this consistency forward,' Sarnobat said.

A Squad That Blends Experience With Youth

Sarnobat anchors a women's 25m pistol lineup that pairs her championship pedigree with the energy of India's emerging generation of international medallists. She described the dynamic as a genuine competitive asset.

'It's a wonderful balance, as every generation brings something unique to the firing line. The younger shooters bring tremendous energy, confidence, and fresh perspectives to the squad. Meanwhile, experience helps in handling immense pressure, staying patient, and managing expectations during major events. It is incredibly exciting to be part of such a talented team,' she said.

Sarnobat specifically highlighted training alongside teammates Manu and Esha as a daily standard-setter. 'The level of competition within India is incredibly high, and that remains one of our biggest strengths as a shooting nation. Training alongside world-class teammates like Manu and Esha means you have to be at your absolute best every single day. It creates an environment where everyone keeps raising the benchmark, backed by mutual respect,' she added.

Mental Evolution at the Core of Her Game

Over the course of her career, Sarnobat has consciously shifted her competitive philosophy — moving away from fixating on technical metrics toward cultivating emotional stillness at the firing line.

'Experience has taught me that results are a consequence of hard work. Today, I trust my preparation and stay entirely present in every shot. I've learned to accept both good and difficult moments without reacting emotionally. That mental stability helps me make better decisions and recover quickly if something doesn't go as planned,' she explained.

National Camp and the Road Ahead

With the high-performance national camp currently underway, the squad is running intensive match simulations and tactical conditioning drills before departing for back-to-back international assignments. Sarnobat described the camp as essential to synchronising the team's readiness.

'The national camp is crucial because it allows us to refine every aspect of preparation, from technical execution to physical conditioning. The immediate goal is to build consistency and confidence heading into the World Cup and then carry that momentum into the Asian Games. As a team, we want to perform to our full potential,' she said.

India's women's 25m pistol contingent is widely regarded as one of the most competitive domestic pools in world shooting — a reputation Sarnobat believes translates directly into international resilience. How that translates on the global stage at the ISSF World Cup and the Asian Games will be the next measure of that depth.