Are Top Shooters Making a Comeback in India After Dehradun Rifle/Pistol Trials?

New Delhi, Jul 2 (NationPress) Olympians Anjum Moudgil (who is also a world championship silver medalist), Saurabh Chaudhary, and world championship bronze medallist Mehuli Ghosh are back in contention for spots on Team India following the completion of the National Selection Trials 3&4 for Rifle and Pistol shooters, held at the Trishul Shooting Range in Dehradun.

The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has published the comprehensive domestic rankings for Group A (eligible for selection) shooters on their website after the final match concluded on Monday (June 30, 2025).

Double Olympian Anjum, recognized as one of India’s greatest female rifle shooters, missed the initial phase of the international season featuring three World Cup stages but has made a strong return in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions (3P), surpassing fellow Paris Olympian Shriyanka Sadangi in the top three.

World record holder Sift Kaur Samra remains the leading 3P women's shooter in India with an average score of 593.38, followed by Ashi Chouksey (592.25) and Anjum (591.68). Sriyanka (589.90), Mehuli (588.58), and Surabhi Bharadwaj Rapole (588.08) complete this highly competitive top six.

Former Asian Games and Youth Olympics champion Saurabh Chaudhary has reclaimed his position as India's No.1 in the men’s 10m air pistol, achieving a top-ranked average of 583.93, followed by Aditya Malra (582.75) and Anmol Jain (582.33). Amit Sharma (582), Nishant Rawat (582), and Samrat Rana (581.45) occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth ranks, respectively.

Among rifle shooters, Asian Championship 2024 gold medallist Mehuli Ghosh has returned to the No. 1 position in the domestic rankings for 10m Air Rifle Women with an average of 633.65, closely followed by Elavenil Valarivan (633.28) and Ananya Naidu (632.83). Up-and-coming names Arya Rajesh Borse (632.25), Ramita (632.05), and Sonam Uttam Maskar (631.60) also feature in the top six.

In the 10m Air Pistol Women category, Suruchi continues to dominate the national circuit. With an average score of 588.25, she holds a nearly 10-point lead over her closest rival, Palak (578.38).

Paris Olympic double bronze medallist Manu Bhaker and Surbhi Rao both have averages of 578, with Surbhi ranking fourth due to a lower drop score. Rhythm Sangwan (577.88) and Esha Singh (577.83) follow closely in fifth and sixth, respectively.

World No. 2 Manu, who missed T3 and T4 rounds, remains the leader in the 25m Sports Pistol Women India rankings with an average score of 588.65. Simranpreet Kaur Brar (583.75), Esha Singh (583.50), Rahi Sarnobat (582.28), Abhidnya Patil (580.43), and Divya T.S. (580.38) complete the top six.

Anish Bhanwala, fresh from victories in Trials 3 & 4, holds the No.1 position in 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men with an average of 581.25. He is followed by Neeraj Kumar (578.75) and Adarsh Singh (578.55). The next three spots are held by Bhavesh Shekhawat (576.63), Pradeep Singh Shekhawat (576.30), and Mandeep Singh (576.00).

In 10m Air Rifle Men, reigning Asian champion Rudrankksh Patil leads the rankings with an average score of 633.98, just ahead of Arjun Babuta (633.40) by 0.58. Kiran Jadhav, with an average score of 632.35, tops Umamahesh Maddineni by 0.12 to secure the third rank. Divyansh Singh Panwar (632) and Niraj Kumar (631.75) complete the high-performing top six after Selection Trials 3&4 for Group ‘A’ shooters.

Veteran Chain Singh retains the top position in the 3P category for men with an average score of 592.63. Olympian Akhil Sheoran (591.35) is just 0.02 ahead of third-place Aishwary Pratap Singh. Niraj Kumar (591.25), Paris Olympic Bronze medallist Swapnil Kushale (589.15), and Babu Singh (587.05) from the Army Marksmanship Unit complete the top six.

In the shotgun category, 2024 Asian Championships gold medallist Ganemat Sekhon leads the Skeet Women rankings with an average of 116.33, followed by Raiza Dhillon (116.00) and Maheshwari Chauhan (115.00). Yashasvi Rathore (112.67), Parinaaz Dhaliwal (111.33), and Darshna Rathore (109.67) complete the top six.

Abhay Singh Sekhon tops the Skeet Men rankings with an average of 121.33, showcasing his consistent performance. He is closely followed by Bhavtegh Singh Gill (119.33), Olympian Anantjeet Singh Naruka (119.00), Parampal Singh Guron (118.00), and Mairaj Ahmad Khan (118.00), who are tied for fourth and fifth ranks, respectively. Sukhbir Singh Harika (117.33) is sixth.

Neeru from Madhya Pradesh dominates the Trap Women rankings with an average of 117.00, followed by Aashima Ahlawat (116.00) and Preeti Rajak (114.00). Manisha Keer (113.67), Pragati Dubey (113.33), and Kirti Gupta (112.67) make up the remainder of the top six.

In Trap Men, Olympian Lakshay Sheoran leads the rankings with an impressive average of 121.33, followed by Kynan Chenai (120.33) and Bhowneesh Mendiratta (120.00). R. Prithviraj Tondaiman holds fourth place (119.00), while Arjun (118.67) and Zoravar Singh Sandhu (118.00) claim the fifth and sixth ranks.