India Unveils 30-Member Shooting Team for 20th Asian Games in Japan
Indian Shooting Team Announced for Asian Games
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has officially revealed the 30-member shooting team that will represent the country at the 20th Asian Games, taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
Shooting events are scheduled from September 17 to October 3 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Range.
All athletes selected for the team have successfully met the rigorous qualification criteria set by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). The final roster consists of 30 athletes, evenly split between 15 men and 15 women, adhering to the strict dynamic quota limits imposed by the Games' Organising Committee.
After thorough discussions and a meticulous evaluation of each event, the Committee pinpointed a group of athletes capable of competing in various disciplines. This strategic selection aims to enhance India's participation across all events while optimizing medal prospects in both individual and team categories. Notable double starters include Vidarsa K. Vinod, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Manu Bhaker, and Esha Singh.
The final team composition reflects a careful assessment of current performance, international results, team dynamics, and potential for medals. The Selection Committee, in collaboration with the High Performance team, focused on maximizing India's competitiveness across all shooting events to ensure a strong challenge for podium finishes.
NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo commented on the selection process, stating, “Choosing this team was a complex task due to the remarkable depth and quality of talent in Indian shooting today.”
With a cap of 30 athletes for a program that includes participation in 36 event slots, the Selection Committee conducted a detailed evaluation to guarantee that the final squad offers India the best representation and opportunities for success across disciplines.
The final team showcases the strength, depth, and versatility of Indian shooting. We are confident that this team will represent India with pride and achieve great success in Aichi-Nagoya,” he added.
The contingent includes 12 shotgun shooters and 18 rifle/pistol shooters. Here’s the complete breakdown of the squad:
Rifle and Pistol Squad
10M Air Rifle Men
- Parth Rakesh Mane
- Himanshu Dhillon
- Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
10M Air Rifle Women
- Elavenil Valarivan
- Sonam Uttam Maskar
- Vidarsa K Vinod
50M Rifle 3 Positions Men
- Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar
- Niraj Kumar
- Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
50M Rifle 3 Positions Women
- Ashi Chouksey
- Vidarsa K Vinod
- Tilottama Sen
10M Air Pistol Men
- Kedarling B. Uchaganve
- Gaurav
- Kamaljeet
10M Air Pistol Women
- Suruchi
- Esha Singh
- Manu Bhaker
25M Rapid Fire Pistol Men
- Anish
25M Sports Pistol Women
- Esha Singh
- Manu Bhaker
- Rahi Sarnobat
10M Air Rifle Mixed Team
- Parth Rakesh Mane
- Elavenil Valarivan
10M Air Pistol Mixed Team
- Kedarling B. Uchaganve
- Suruchi
Shotgun Squad
Trap Men
- Kynan Chenai
- Ahvar Rizvi
- Shapath Bharadwaj
Trap Women
- Neeru
- Manisha Keer
- Aashima Ahlawat
Skeet Men
- Anantjeet Singh Naruka
- Bhavtegh Singh Gill
- Mairaj Ahmad Khan
Skeet Women
- Parinaaz Dhaliwal
- Raiza Dhillon
- Maheshwari Chauhan
Indian shooters have consistently showcased impressive performances on the global stage in recent months, highlighting the nation's growing prowess in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. Recently, Indian athletes achieved multiple podium finishes at the ISSF World Cup circuit.
This was exemplified by Esha Singh's gold medal and world-record achievement in the women's 25m pistol event at the Munich World Cup. Additionally, Suruchi Singh and Esha secured a remarkable gold-silver finish in the women's 10m air pistol event, further demonstrating the depth and reliability of the Indian shooting program ahead of the Asian Games.