Niraj Kumar Secures Bronze and Olympic Quota at ISSF World Championship

Niraj Kumar's Remarkable Achievement in Doha

Doha [Qatar], November 11: Indian shooter Niraj Kumar achieved a significant milestone by winning the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the ISSF World Championship held in Doha on Wednesday. This victory also earned India its first rifle quota spot for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Niraj finished the final with a score of 346.5 points, securing third place on the podium. Dmitrii Pimenov, representing Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), took home the gold medal with a remarkable score of 362.8 points, setting a new junior world record. Slovakia's Patrik Jany followed closely, winning the silver with 357.2 points.

This medal marks India's third consecutive podium finish in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the World Championships. Previously, Akhil Sheoran won bronze in 2023, while Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar earned silver in 2025.

Tomar also participated in the final on Wednesday but finished fifth with a score of 323.7.

Niraj's achievement brings India's total quota places to two, following Jaypal Malviya's silver medal in the men's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Championships on Thursday. Malviya's impressive performance under pressure secured the country's first quota for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Jaypal scored 242.2 in the 24-shot final, finishing second. China's Hu Kai claimed the gold medal and the first Olympic quota with a score of 243.9, while Czechia's Jindrich Dubovy took home the bronze and the third available quota with 220.9.

From the start, Jaypal was in contention for a medal, scoring 50.5 in the first series and reaching 100.0 by the end of the second. During the elimination rounds, he consistently fired high-10s, including impressive shots of 10.8 and 10.7, which helped him maintain his lead over competitors. He remained composed during the final shots, ensuring he secured the silver medal behind Hu.