India's Shooting Team Gears Up for 20th Asian Games in Nagoya
India's Shooting Team Prepares for Asian Games
The Indian shooting team is set to participate in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, showcasing a mix of seasoned athletes and promising newcomers. A total of 30 shooters will compete in various Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun events from September 19 to October 1, as announced by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
Rifle Team Features Top Talent
The Rifle squad includes both established champions and emerging talents. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, currently ranked 7th in the world, will compete in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event. He previously secured a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and is a former World Cup gold medallist. Joining him in this event will be Niraj Kumar, while Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen, and Vidarsa K Vinod will represent the women’s category.
Rudrankksh B Patil, the 2022 World Champion, will also participate in the 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events. The 10m Air Rifle category will feature Elavenil Valarivan, Parth Rajesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, Sonam Uttam Maskar, and Vidarsa K. Vinod, with Elavenil being a former World Cup gold medallist.
Pistol Line-Up Led by Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh
The Pistol team boasts prominent figures in Indian shooting. Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic bronze medallist from Paris 2024, will compete in both the 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol events, currently holding a world ranking of 12.
Esha Singh, the reigning World Champion and Asian champion, will also compete in the 10m Air Pistol and 25m Pistol events. The 10m Air Pistol category will include Suruchi, Kamaljeet, Kedarling B. Uchaganve, and Aakash Bhardwaj, with Suruchi also participating in the Mixed Team event.
Experienced Shotgun Squad
The Shotgun team is composed of seasoned Olympians and Asian Games medallists. In the Trap event, Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, and Shapath Bharadwaj will represent India, while Aashima Ahlawat, Manisha Keer, and Neeru will compete in the women's category.
Kynan Chenai, who won gold in the men's trap team event and bronze in the individual trap event at the 2023 Asian Games, will also participate in the Trap mixed-team event. Neeru, ranked 13th in the world, recently won gold in women’s Trap at the 2025 Asian Championships.
Overview of India's Shooting Campaign
India's shooting events will take place from September 20 to October 1, featuring competitions in individual and Mixed Team formats. The Rifle events include 10m Air Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions, while the Pistol events consist of 10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, and 25m Rapid Fire Pistol.
The Shotgun team will compete in Trap and Skeet, with Mixed Team events also included, providing additional chances for medal contention. The Nagoya Games will be a significant test of India's capabilities across all shooting disciplines.
Statements from NRAI Officials
NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo expressed confidence in the team's preparation, stating, "Our athletes have worked diligently and gained valuable experience from various competitions. The Asian Games will be a crucial platform for them to showcase their skills and represent India with pride."
NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh emphasized the depth of the squad, highlighting the blend of experienced competitors and young talents. He noted, "We are eager to see how our athletes perform, reflecting the progress of shooting in India."