India's Strong Contingent Set for the 16th Asian Shooting Championship

Overview of the Championship

New Delhi, August 17: As the countdown begins for the 16th Asian Shooting Championship, set to take place from August 18 to August 29, 2025, in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, India is poised to showcase a formidable squad of 182 shooters. This contingent, the largest from any nation, will participate across various categories, including senior, junior, and youth divisions.

Event Details and Medal Opportunities

Indian competitors will engage in 58 medal events, comprising 46 individual and 12 mixed team events. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has indicated that the shooters will also contend for team medals in all individual events, depending on the number of participants.

Diverse Competition Landscape

While a majority of the Indian team will focus on Olympic events, several athletes will also compete in non-Olympic categories such as Centre-Fire, Standard and Free Pistol, Prone Rifle, and Double-Trap Shotgun.

The Battle for Supremacy

The Asian Championship has historically been a contest for regional dominance, with China being the primary competitor. India has made significant strides in recent years, positioning itself as a strong contender for the top medal tally alongside China.

Strong Contingents from Other Nations

Kazakhstan, the host nation, will field the second-largest team with 111 entries, followed by Korea (70), China (41), Iran (29), Chinese Taipei (24), and Vietnam (20). Competitors from the Middle East are also expected to pose a challenge, particularly in the Shotgun events.

India's Past Performances

In the last Asian Championship held in Changwon, India secured second place with a total of 59 medals, including 21 golds, 22 silvers, and 16 bronzes. Previously, at the 14th Asian Championship in Doha, India finished in fourth place.

Competition Formats

Events will be conducted in individual, team, and mixed team formats across all disciplines. For the seniors, each National Olympic Committee (NOC) can register five athletes, with three eligible for medal contention. Juniors can have six athletes, with the top three qualifying for finals, while youth entries will be managed by the organizing committee.

Team Composition and Medal Structure

In mixed team events, two teams will compete, with only the highest-ranked team advancing for medals. Team events will consist of three members, with their individual scores combined for medal eligibility.