Cairo, Egypt – In a stunning display of skill and composure, India's Samrat Rana clinched the gold medal in the men's 10m air pistol event at the prestigious ISSF World Championships. The young shooter from Karnal shot an impressive 243.7 in the final, edging out China's Hu Kai, who secured the silver with a score of 243.3. Adding to India's joy, Varun Tomar, hailing from Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, secured the bronze medal with a score of 221.7.
This victory marks a historic moment for Indian shooting, as Samrat Rana becomes the first Indian pistol shooter to win a world title in an Olympic event. The 20-year-old's achievement was made even sweeter as he also contributed to India winning the team gold in the same event.
The final was a nail-biting affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times between Rana, Hu, and Tomar. However, Rana held his nerve, maintaining consistency and showcasing exceptional marksmanship to emerge victorious.
Rana's journey to the top has been marked by dedication and perseverance. Coached by his father since 2018, he has steadily risen through the ranks, demonstrating his potential on the international stage. He previously won two gold medals at the same venue during the 2022 World Championships in the junior air pistol team and junior mixed team events. Prior to this victory, Rana won a gold medal at the World University Games last year and narrowly missed qualifying for the ISSF World Cup final in Ningbo, China.
Varun Tomar's bronze medal is also a significant achievement for the young shooter. Tomar comes from Garhi Kangran village in Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh. Inspired by his cousin, Olympian Saurabh Chaudhary, he began shooting in 2017 under coach Amit Sheoran. Tomar is a Naib Subedar in the Army and trains at the Karni Singh Ranges in Delhi. His father, Vishesh, a teacher, encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
With these medals, India has jumped to third place in the medal tally, with a total of three gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. China currently leads the table with six gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.
"I still can't believe it. It was my first senior World C'ships and winning gold is unbelievable," Rana said, according to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). "I was just focusing on my technique, not looking at the screen and trying to repeat the process".
The performance of Samrat Rana and Varun Tomar has not only made the nation proud but has also set a high benchmark for aspiring shooters in India. Their success serves as an inspiration and highlights India's growing prominence in the world of shooting.
