Niraj Kumar Celebrates Silver Medal Win at Asian Games Debut
Niraj Kumar's Silver Medal Achievement
After securing a silver medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions team event, Indian shooter Niraj Kumar expressed his joy and shared insights about his journey in the sport. He revealed that he prioritized shooting over academics during his student years, convincing his parents to invest in his equipment with the promise of completing his college education later. Alongside teammates Rudrankksh Patil and Aishwary Pratap Tomar, Kumar contributed to India's silver medal victory on Friday.
First Asian Games Experience
In an interview following his medal win, Niraj expressed his excitement about achieving this milestone on his Asian Games debut. "It was my first Asian Games, and returning with a medal feels incredible. Next time, I aim to compete fiercely for an individual medal as well," he stated.
Insights on Performance and Pressure
Discussing the differences between the qualification rounds and the medal match, Niraj noted that the qualification is a lengthy process where all competitors strive for their best, while the medal match can involve an element of luck. "Sometimes, the outcome depends on the day, and a minor error can alter rankings. Everyone gave their best effort," he explained regarding the singles event in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions.
He acknowledged the pressure to win a medal after extensive preparation but also mentioned that witnessing others' victories serves as motivation. "Seeing others win inspires us to believe we can achieve the same," he added.
Family Support and Sacrifices
Niraj dedicated his medal to his family, recalling how he had asked his parents to support his shooting career by purchasing a weapon, assuring them he would pursue his degree later. "They made sacrifices to buy me that weapon, and now, returning home with an Asian Games medal feels amazing," he reflected on his early days in the sport.
Gratitude for Institutional Support
Niraj expressed gratitude for the backing from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), stating that their support has been "excellent". Since joining the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), he noted a significant improvement in his performance. "The assistance from TOPS, especially regarding the costly ammunition, alleviates a significant burden from us," he concluded.
Event Results Overview
In the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event, India achieved a final score of 1762-94x, falling short of gold medalists China, who scored 1766-95x. South Korea secured the bronze medal with a score of 1751-87x. After winning gold in the previous Asian Games, India lost their title to China this time.
In individual standings, Aishwary finished third with a score of 589-34x, while Niraj placed fourth with 588-34x, both qualifying for the individual final. Rudrankksh, with a score of 585-26x, finished ninth and did not advance. Unfortunately, Niraj finished eighth in the final.