Indian shooters continue to make the country proud at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The trio of Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa K. Vinod and Ashi Chouksey clinched a silver medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event early on Sunday (Sep 26), adding to India's burgeoning shooting medal count. India registered 1,763 points to finish second, while China equalled their Games record with 1,773 points to claim the coveted gold.&nbsp;Riding on the team success, Tilottama and Vidarsa qualified for the individual final after finishing third and sixth, respectively. Ashi, however, missed out on the top-eight cut despite contributing to the team’s silver.<h2>Tilottama leads from the front</h2>Tilottama was India’s leading performer in the qualification, finishing third with 590 points. The Indian shooter claimed 197 in the kneeling position before registering 198 in prone. Tilottama held her nerve in standing next, registering a series of 97 and 98 to secure a place in the final. Two Chinese shooters attained the top two spots with 594 and 591 finishes.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-we-always-want-to-improve-suruchi-kamaljeet-after-winning-asian-games-gold-1790347185865">Exclusive | 'We always want to improve': Suruchi, Kamaljeet after winning Asian Games gold</a>&nbsp;Vidarsa produced a stunning comeback following a difficult start to her qualification campaign. After starting with a score of 193 in kneeling, Vidarsa bounced back with an excellent 199 in prone to climb the standings. In the standing position, she shot a consecutive series of 98s to accumulate 588 points, which lifted her to the sixth position and secured India’s second spot in the individual final.&nbsp;By finishing 15th with 585 points, Ashi Chouksey missed out on the individual berth despite contributing massively to the team medal. After scoring 196 in kneeling and a stunning 199 in prone, Ashi was placed well heading into the standing position. A 93 in her opening standing series proved costly. Although she did recover with a 97 in her final series, Ashi failed to break into the top eight.

Indian trio Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod, and Ashi Chouksey win silver in women's 50m rifle 3P team event at Asian Games 2026. Read details.

Indian shooters continue to make the country proud at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The trio of Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa K. Vinod and Ashi Chouksey clinched a silver medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event early on Sunday (Sep 26), adding to India's burgeoning shooting medal count. India registered 1,763 points to finish second, while China equalled their Games record with 1,773 points to claim the coveted gold. Riding on the team success, Tilottama and Vidarsa qualified for the individual final after finishing third and sixth, respectively. Ashi, however, missed out on the top-eight cut despite contributing to the team’s silver. Tilottama leads from the front Tilottama was India’s leading performer in the qualification, finishing third with 590 points. The Indian shooter claimed 197 in the kneeling position before registering 198 in prone. Tilottama held her nerve in standing next, registering a series of 97 and 98 to secure a place in the final. Two Chinese shooters attained the top two spots with 594 and 591 finishes. Also read| Exclusive | 'We always want to improve': Suruchi, Kamaljeet after winning Asian Games gold Vidarsa produced a stunning comeback following a difficult start to her qualification campaign. After starting with a score of 193 in kneeling, Vidarsa bounced back with an excellent 199 in prone to climb the standings. In the standing position, she shot a consecutive series of 98s to accumulate 588 points, which lifted her to the sixth position and secured India’s second spot in the individual final. By finishing 15th with 585 points, Ashi Chouksey missed out on the individual berth despite contributing massively to the team medal. After scoring 196 in kneeling and a stunning 199 in prone, Ashi was placed well heading into the standing position. A 93 in her opening standing series proved costly. Although she did recover with a 97 in her final series, Ashi failed to break into the top eight.

Indian trio Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod, and Ashi Chouksey win silver in women's 50m rifle 3P team event at Asian Games 2026. Read details.

Asian Games: Shooting spree continues as India win silver in women’s 50m rifle 3P team event

India’s ace shooter and Olympian Sift Kaur Samra secured her first Asian crown by winning the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) gold medal at the ongoing 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent on Tuesday (August 26). Her victory led to a stellar day for Indian shooting, with the junior shooters adding six more gold medals, along with two silvers and one bronze, to the medal tally. Despite starting in seventh place after the Kneeling position, Sift delivered a remarkable comeback. Her precision and calm under pressure, particularly in the final Standing position, saw her finish with a score of 459.2, edging out China’s Yang Yujie by 0.4 points.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/goa-to-host-fide-world-cup-2025-top-event-returns-to-india-after-23-years-king-carlsen-unlikely-to-participate-1756226463637">Goa to host FIDE World Cup 2025; top event returns to India after 23 years; King Carlsen unlikely to participate.</a>&nbsp;The turning point came during the last series, where Sift shot 10.7 and 10.8 to take the lead. Though Yang briefly overtook her with a 10.9 on the 37th shot, Sift regained the top spot and sealed the gold with a final shot of 10.0—her 11th shot in the 10s during Standing. Sift also led India to team gold in the women’s 3P event, alongside Ashi Chouksey and Anjum Moudgil, with a total score of 1753, finishing three points ahead of China. Sift had topped qualification with 589, and Ashi joined her in the final, finishing seventh.<h3>Juniors add to India's medal tally.</h3>India’s junior shooters had a golden day, sweeping several events across rifle, pistol, and shotgun categories. In the Junior Women’s 3P Rifle event, &nbsp;Anushka Thokur bagged gold with a score of 460.7, finishing five points ahead of Korea’s Sehee Oh. Mahit Sandhu and Prachi Gaikwad were placed fifth and sixth with scores of 414.7 and 413.9, respectively. The trio secured team gold with a combined score of 1758. Coming to the Junior Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, Sameer Gulia won bronze with a final score of 21. Suraj Sharma (12) and Abhinav Choudhary (4) finished fifth and sixth.&nbsp;Together, the three won the team gold with a score of 1724, with Suraj topping the qualification round. In the Junior Women’s Trap, Sabeera Haris took gold with 39 hits, narrowly beating 15-year-old Addya Katyal, who won silver with 38. Bhavya Tripathi placed sixth, and the trio combined for another team gold with a score of 324. Meanwhile, in the Junior Men’s Trap event, Aryavansh Tyagi earned silver after losing a shoot-off to Kazakhstan’s Nikita Moisseyev. Both were tied at 40 at the end of the final. Ghassan Baaklini of Lebanon took bronze. Aryavansh, Arjun (4th place), and Udhav Singh Rathore secured team gold, with Udhav shooting 106 in qualification.&nbsp;With just two events remaining — the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol and Trap mixed team — India and China are tied with six gold medals each, setting the stage for an exciting finish in the medal standings.

Asian Shooting Championship: Sift Kaur Samra shoots gold in 50m Rifle 3 Positions

India’s ace shooter and Olympian Sift Kaur Samra secured her first Asian crown by winning the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) gold medal at the ongoing 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent on Tuesday (August 26). Her victory led to a stellar day for Indian shooting, with the junior shooters adding six more gold medals, along with two silvers and one bronze, to the medal tally. Despite starting in seventh place after the Kneeling position, Sift delivered a remarkable comeback. Her precision and calm under pressure, particularly in the final Standing position, saw her finish with a score of 459.2, edging out China’s Yang Yujie by 0.4 points. Also Read: Goa to host FIDE World Cup 2025; top event returns to India after 23 years; King Carlsen unlikely to participate. The turning point came during the last series, where Sift shot 10.7 and 10.8 to take the lead. Though Yang briefly overtook her with a 10.9 on the 37th shot, Sift regained the top spot and sealed the gold with a final shot of 10.0—her 11th shot in the 10s during Standing. Sift also led India to team gold in the women’s 3P event, alongside Ashi Chouksey and Anjum Moudgil, with a total score of 1753, finishing three points ahead of China. Sift had topped qualification with 589, and Ashi joined her in the final, finishing seventh. Juniors add to India's medal tally. India’s junior shooters had a golden day, sweeping several events across rifle, pistol, and shotgun categories. In the Junior Women’s 3P Rifle event, Anushka Thokur bagged gold with a score of 460.7, finishing five points ahead of Korea’s Sehee Oh. Mahit Sandhu and Prachi Gaikwad were placed fifth and sixth with scores of 414.7 and 413.9, respectively. The trio secured team gold with a combined score of 1758. Coming to the Junior Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, Sameer Gulia won bronze with a final score of 21. Suraj Sharma (12) and Abhinav Choudhary (4) finished fifth and sixth. Together, the three won the team gold with a score of 1724, with Suraj topping the qualification round. In the Junior Women’s Trap, Sabeera Haris took gold with 39 hits, narrowly beating 15-year-old Addya Katyal, who won silver with 38. Bhavya Tripathi placed sixth, and the trio combined for another team gold with a score of 324. Meanwhile, in the Junior Men’s Trap event, Aryavansh Tyagi earned silver after losing a shoot-off to Kazakhstan’s Nikita Moisseyev. Both were tied at 40 at the end of the final. Ghassan Baaklini of Lebanon took bronze. Aryavansh, Arjun (4th place), and Udhav Singh Rathore secured team gold, with Udhav shooting 106 in qualification. With just two events remaining — the men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol and Trap mixed team — India and China are tied with six gold medals each, setting the stage for an exciting finish in the medal standings.

In a double delight day for India, Sift had paired up with Ashi Chouksey (586) and Anjum Moudgil (578) for the team gold in women’s 3P as well, with a total score of 1753, three clear of the Chinese team, which came in at second

When you see Ashi Chouksey on the shooting range, it’s not just the rifle in her hands that commands attention — it’s the stillness in her posture, the razor-sharp gaze, and the kind of unshakable calm that only champions exude. In her photos from the range — hair neatly tied, eyes locked in, stance unflinching — she looks like she was born to silence the chaos around her with one perfect shot. But behind that steely exterior is a 22-year-old whose journey is anything but ordinary. Whether it’s breaking the national record in the 50m rifle 3 positions event or topping qualification rounds with scores rivaling world records, Ashi is proving that India’s next shooting icon is already here — focused, fearless, and fiercely consistent. &nbsp;As the Indian shooting team heads to the Munich World Cup 2025, beginning June 8, Ashi steps into the spotlight not just with medals and records, but with a mission. A mission that began in Bhopal and is now aiming straight for Los Angeles 2028. The past six months have been nothing short of phenomenal for the 22-year-old shooter. A national record of 598 in the 50m Rifle 3 Position event earlier this year shocked even Ashi herself.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Till now, I can’t believe I shot that,” she admits, recalling how she almost cried mid-match after realizing her near-flawless score. But there's no time to rest on laurels — in her world, every match is a fresh battlefield. &nbsp;“Once you shoot a good score, you need to achieve that again and again,” she said in an exclusive interview to WION. It’s a mindset that has become second nature to her, where each shot demands perfection, and each day is another chance to prove she deserves her place on the podium. Ashi’s confidence is matched by her candid realism. “Getting to number one is easy, maintaining it is very, very difficult,” she says. That tension, the pressure of having 28,000 shooters in India now competing — a huge jump from the 4,000 a few years ago — doesn’t intimidate her. It fuels her.&nbsp;“Somehow, I love challenges in shooting.” &nbsp;The upcoming World Cup in Munich — a global hotbed for top-tier shooting talent — is a challenge she’s excited about. “It’ll be very competitive. But I’m confident,” she says with calm determination. Beyond her own performance, Ashi has a clear eye on the bigger picture. The exponential growth of shooting in India and the nation's impressive showing in events like the Paris Olympics speaks volumes about the sport’s upward trajectory. “India is becoming a superpower in shooting,” she declares proudly. &nbsp;Looking ahead, the LA 2028 Olympics is a goal Ashi holds close to her heart. Missing out on the Paris Games by just two points, despite stellar performances internationally, was a moment of heartbreak — but also transformation. “Earlier, I just wanted to go to the Olympics. Now, I want a medal,” she asserts with fire in her voice. &nbsp;And that’s the Ashi Chouksey difference. Even in disappointment, she finds clarity. Even in setbacks — like her challenging outing at the Argentina World Cup due to dry lenses and windy conditions — she sees lessons, not excuses. “We can’t change anything, but we can write it down in our diaries, learn, and be better prepared next time.” Yes, diaries. Ashi maintains one diligently — logging every practice session, every match, even pre-match feelings. It’s her mirror, her motivator, her strategy manual. “It gives me a better view of myself. What worked, what didn’t, what to carry forward.” &nbsp;When asked if she’s superstitious, she laughs. “Not really. But I do believe in knowing exactly what I’m doing.” In a sport where a 9.9 and 10.0 are separated by a microscopic margin, that attention to detail is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. &nbsp;The upcoming Shooting League of India, too, excites Ashi. A chance for team-based competitions, playing alongside and against international talent, is something she believes will revolutionise Indian shooting.&nbsp;&nbsp;“League brings people together. Just like IPL, maybe someday our league will be that big.” For now, though, Ashi Chouksey is focused on the task at hand — Munich. There’s a quiet ambition in her voice when she speaks about her next goal: breaching the perfect 600 mark. “I want to do it at a big competition. I think I can.” And with every shot, every note in her diary, every moment of self-talk in front of the mirror, Ashi moves one step closer to that magic number — and to the place in history that seems all but inevitable.

Ashi Chouksey: Aiming high, one shot at a time

When you see Ashi Chouksey on the shooting range, it’s not just the rifle in her hands that commands attention — it’s the stillness in her posture, the razor-sharp gaze, and the kind of unshakable calm that only champions exude. In her photos from the range — hair neatly tied, eyes locked in, stance unflinching — she looks like she was born to silence the chaos around her with one perfect shot. But behind that steely exterior is a 22-year-old whose journey is anything but ordinary. Whether it’s breaking the national record in the 50m rifle 3 positions event or topping qualification rounds with scores rivaling world records, Ashi is proving that India’s next shooting icon is already here — focused, fearless, and fiercely consistent. As the Indian shooting team heads to the Munich World Cup 2025, beginning June 8, Ashi steps into the spotlight not just with medals and records, but with a mission. A mission that began in Bhopal and is now aiming straight for Los Angeles 2028. The past six months have been nothing short of phenomenal for the 22-year-old shooter. A national record of 598 in the 50m Rifle 3 Position event earlier this year shocked even Ashi herself. “Till now, I can’t believe I shot that,” she admits, recalling how she almost cried mid-match after realizing her near-flawless score. But there's no time to rest on laurels — in her world, every match is a fresh battlefield. “Once you shoot a good score, you need to achieve that again and again,” she said in an exclusive interview to WION. It’s a mindset that has become second nature to her, where each shot demands perfection, and each day is another chance to prove she deserves her place on the podium. Ashi’s confidence is matched by her candid realism. “Getting to number one is easy, maintaining it is very, very difficult,” she says. That tension, the pressure of having 28,000 shooters in India now competing — a huge jump from the 4,000 a few years ago — doesn’t intimidate her. It fuels her. “Somehow, I love challenges in shooting.” The upcoming World Cup in Munich — a global hotbed for top-tier shooting talent — is a challenge she’s excited about. “It’ll be very competitive. But I’m confident,” she says with calm determination. Beyond her own performance, Ashi has a clear eye on the bigger picture. The exponential growth of shooting in India and the nation's impressive showing in events like the Paris Olympics speaks volumes about the sport’s upward trajectory. “India is becoming a superpower in shooting,” she declares proudly. Looking ahead, the LA 2028 Olympics is a goal Ashi holds close to her heart. Missing out on the Paris Games by just two points, despite stellar performances internationally, was a moment of heartbreak — but also transformation. “Earlier, I just wanted to go to the Olympics. Now, I want a medal,” she asserts with fire in her voice. And that’s the Ashi Chouksey difference. Even in disappointment, she finds clarity. Even in setbacks — like her challenging outing at the Argentina World Cup due to dry lenses and windy conditions — she sees lessons, not excuses. “We can’t change anything, but we can write it down in our diaries, learn, and be better prepared next time.” Yes, diaries. Ashi maintains one diligently — logging every practice session, every match, even pre-match feelings. It’s her mirror, her motivator, her strategy manual. “It gives me a better view of myself. What worked, what didn’t, what to carry forward.” When asked if she’s superstitious, she laughs. “Not really. But I do believe in knowing exactly what I’m doing.” In a sport where a 9.9 and 10.0 are separated by a microscopic margin, that attention to detail is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. The upcoming Shooting League of India, too, excites Ashi. A chance for team-based competitions, playing alongside and against international talent, is something she believes will revolutionise Indian shooting. “League brings people together. Just like IPL, maybe someday our league will be that big.” For now, though, Ashi Chouksey is focused on the task at hand — Munich. There’s a quiet ambition in her voice when she speaks about her next goal: breaching the perfect 600 mark. “I want to do it at a big competition. I think I can.” And with every shot, every note in her diary, every moment of self-talk in front of the mirror, Ashi moves one step closer to that magic number — and to the place in history that seems all but inevitable.

As the Indian shooting team heads to the Munich World Cup 2025, beginning June 8, Ashi steps into the spotlight not just with medals and records, but with a mission. A mission that began in Bhopal and is now aiming straight for Los Angeles 2028

Exclusive | Ashi Chouksey: Aiming high, one shot at a time

Ace pistol shooter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/manu-bhaker">Manu Bhaker</a> is set to lead a 35-member Indian contingent at the ISSF World Cups in South America, starting April 1, 2025, marking the beginning of the international shooting season. The squad comprises nearly all the shooters who participated in the Paris Olympics, ensuring a strong representation on the global stage.
A notable highlight is the return of air pistol specialist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/saurabh-chaudhary">Saurabh Chaudhary</a> to the national squad after a three-year hiatus. Following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Saurabh struggled with a shoulder injury and inconsistent form. However, he recently demonstrated a remarkable comeback, setting a national record in the 10m air pistol qualification and delivering strong performances in the selection trials. He had partnered with Manu Bhaker in the 10m air pistol mixed team event during the Tokyo Games.
The international shooting calendar kicks off with two successive World Cup events in South America. The first, covering rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines, is scheduled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from April 1-11, followed by another combined World Cup in Lima, Peru, from April 13-22.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/thats-it-folks-i-am-done-ian-chappells-message-as-he-bids-farewell-to-five-decades-in-journalism-8749131">&lsquo;That&rsquo;s it folks, I am done&rsquo;: Ian Chappell&rsquo;s message as he bids farewell to five decades in journalism</a> 
Manu, who recently received the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award for securing two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in the 10m women&rsquo;s air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event (partnering with Sarabjot Singh), will compete in two individual events&mdash;women&rsquo;s air pistol and 25m pistol.
Joining her are other Olympians, including Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu (men&rsquo;s 25m rapid-fire pistol), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/esha-singh">Esha Singh</a> (women&rsquo;s 25m pistol), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men&rsquo;s 50m rifle 3 positions), Sift Kaur Samra and Shriyanka Sadangi (women&rsquo;s 50m rifle 3 positions), Arjun Babuta (men&rsquo;s 10m air rifle), Prithviraj Tondaiman (men&rsquo;s trap), Anant Jeet Singh Naruka (men&rsquo;s skeet), and Raiza Dhillon (women&rsquo;s skeet).
<h2>Training camp from March 14</h2>
Before heading to South America, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) will hold a training camp at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi starting March 14.
The ISSF calendar for the year features major events, including the World Championships&mdash;shotgun in October and rifle/pistol in November. Additionally, there will be three World Cup stages for each discipline and two junior World Cups, with the second one set to take place in New Delhi in September. The 16th Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, scheduled for August, is also on the agenda.
NRAI secretary-general Sultan Singh stressed the need for Indian shooters to build on their Paris Olympics success, where the 21-member squad secured three bronze medals. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s now a collective responsibility for the shooting fraternity to aim even higher. We are confident that our selected athletes will shine in the upcoming competitions,&rdquo; he said.
NRAI has also appointed an extensive team of coaches and experts to support Indian shooters in their journey toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Manu&rsquo;s long-time coach, Jaspal Rana, has been named the high-performance coach for 25m pistol, while Olympic medallist Jitu Rai takes charge of coaching the 10m air pistol team. Deepali Deshpande, a recent recipient of the Dronacharya Award, has been appointed head coach for rifle shooters, having played a crucial role in guiding Swapnil Kusale to a bronze medal in Paris.
Indian contingent for ISSF World Cups (individual events):
Air Rifle: Men: Rudrankksh Patil, Arjun Babuta, Hriday Hazarika Women: Arya Rajesh Borse, R Narmada Nithin, Sonam Uttam Maskar
50m Rifle 3 Positions: Men: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Chain Singh, Niraj Kumar Women: Ashi Chouksey, Shriyanka Sadangi, Sift Kaur Samra
Air Pistol: Men: Saurabh Chaudhary, Ravinder Singh, Varun Tomar Women: Suruchi, Manu Bhaker, Sainyam
25m Rapid-Fire Pistol: Men: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh
25m Sports Pistol: Women: Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Esha Singh
Trap: Men: Lakshay, Prithviraj Tondaiman, Zoravar Singh Sandhu Women: Neeru, Pragati Dubey, Bhavya Tripathi
Skeet: Men: Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Anantjeet Naruka, Gurjoat Singh Women: Raiza Dhillon, Ganemat Sekhon, Darshna Rathore
Mixed Team events: Air Rifle Mixed Team: Rudrankksh Patil &amp; Arya Rajesh Borse; Arjun Babuta &amp; R Narmada Nithin Air Pistol Mixed Team: Saurabh Chaudhary &amp; Suruchi; Ravinder Singh &amp; Manu Bhaker Trap Mixed Team: Lakshay &amp; Neeru; Prithviraj Tondaiman &amp; Pragati Dubey

Olympics, Sports: Manu, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, will compete in two individual events—women’s air pistol and 25m pistol

Ace pistol shooter Manu Bhaker is set to lead a 35-member Indian contingent at the ISSF World Cups in South America, starting April 1, 2025, marking the beginning of the international shooting season. The squad comprises nearly all the shooters who participated in the Paris Olympics, ensuring a strong representation on the global stage. A notable highlight is the return of air pistol specialist Saurabh Chaudhary to the national squad after a three-year hiatus. Following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Saurabh struggled with a shoulder injury and inconsistent form. However, he recently demonstrated a remarkable comeback, setting a national record in the 10m air pistol qualification and delivering strong performances in the selection trials. He had partnered with Manu Bhaker in the 10m air pistol mixed team event during the Tokyo Games. The international shooting calendar kicks off with two successive World Cup events in South America. The first, covering rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines, is scheduled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from April 1-11, followed by another combined World Cup in Lima, Peru, from April 13-22. Also Read: ‘That’s it folks, I am done’: Ian Chappell’s message as he bids farewell to five decades in journalism Manu, who recently received the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award for securing two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in the 10m women’s air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event (partnering with Sarabjot Singh), will compete in two individual events—women’s air pistol and 25m pistol. Joining her are other Olympians, including Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu (men’s 25m rapid-fire pistol), Esha Singh (women’s 25m pistol), Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Sift Kaur Samra and Shriyanka Sadangi (women’s 50m rifle 3 positions), Arjun Babuta (men’s 10m air rifle), Prithviraj Tondaiman (men’s trap), Anant Jeet Singh Naruka (men’s skeet), and Raiza Dhillon (women’s skeet). Training camp from March 14 Before heading to South America, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) will hold a training camp at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi starting March 14. The ISSF calendar for the year features major events, including the World Championships—shotgun in October and rifle/pistol in November. Additionally, there will be three World Cup stages for each discipline and two junior World Cups, with the second one set to take place in New Delhi in September. The 16th Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, scheduled for August, is also on the agenda. NRAI secretary-general Sultan Singh stressed the need for Indian shooters to build on their Paris Olympics success, where the 21-member squad secured three bronze medals. “It’s now a collective responsibility for the shooting fraternity to aim even higher. We are confident that our selected athletes will shine in the upcoming competitions,” he said. NRAI has also appointed an extensive team of coaches and experts to support Indian shooters in their journey toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Manu’s long-time coach, Jaspal Rana, has been named the high-performance coach for 25m pistol, while Olympic medallist Jitu Rai takes charge of coaching the 10m air pistol team. Deepali Deshpande, a recent recipient of the Dronacharya Award, has been appointed head coach for rifle shooters, having played a crucial role in guiding Swapnil Kusale to a bronze medal in Paris. Indian contingent for ISSF World Cups (individual events): Air Rifle: Men: Rudrankksh Patil, Arjun Babuta, Hriday Hazarika Women: Arya Rajesh Borse, R Narmada Nithin, Sonam Uttam Maskar 50m Rifle 3 Positions: Men: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Chain Singh, Niraj Kumar Women: Ashi Chouksey, Shriyanka Sadangi, Sift Kaur Samra Air Pistol: Men: Saurabh Chaudhary, Ravinder Singh, Varun Tomar Women: Suruchi, Manu Bhaker, Sainyam 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol: Men: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu, Gurpreet Singh 25m Sports Pistol: Women: Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur Brar, Esha Singh Trap: Men: Lakshay, Prithviraj Tondaiman, Zoravar Singh Sandhu Women: Neeru, Pragati Dubey, Bhavya Tripathi Skeet: Men: Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Anantjeet Naruka, Gurjoat Singh Women: Raiza Dhillon, Ganemat Sekhon, Darshna Rathore Mixed Team events: Air Rifle Mixed Team: Rudrankksh Patil & Arya Rajesh Borse; Arjun Babuta & R Narmada Nithin Air Pistol Mixed Team: Saurabh Chaudhary & Suruchi; Ravinder Singh & Manu Bhaker Trap Mixed Team: Lakshay & Neeru; Prithviraj Tondaiman & Pragati Dubey

Manu Bhaker to lead 35-member shooting team to World Cups in South America

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Remember what Australian cricket captain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/pat-cummins">Pat Cummins</a> said before the 2023 World Cup final? &ldquo;Nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent&rdquo;. <span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
Indian shooting sensation Ashi&nbsp;Chouksey knows that feeling all too well. She continues to make waves in the sport, setting new national records and securing multiple international medals. The young sharpshooter has been in stellar form, recently breaking the national record at the just-concluded National Games in&nbsp;Uttarakhand.<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
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After a rigorous year of training post-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/olympics">Olympics</a>, Ashi was determined to make a mark at the National Games. Her hard work bore fruit when she clinched the gold medal with an exceptional score. 
Reflecting on her performance, she told WION, &ldquo;Everything was working well for me. I was in my zone and didn&rsquo;t even realize I had broken the national record until the last five shots. My previous record was 597, and I was determined to push beyond that and hit 598. That drive kept me focused till the last shot.&rdquo;<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/champions-trophy-2025-smith-should-open-the-batting-for-australia-says-former-oz-wicketkeeper-8723191">Champions Trophy 2025: Smith should open the batting for Australia, says former Oz wicketkeeper</a> 
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Competing at the highest level comes with immense pressure, but Ashi thrives in such moments. She recalled how, during the final moments of her record-breaking performance, she felt the eyes of the entire stadium on her. 
&ldquo;Everyone had their phones out, recording. There was pressure, but I chose to see it as strength rather than a burden. Experience has taught me that staying in the zone is key.&rdquo;
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW241827308 BCX0" lang="EN-US" paraid="1759476331" paraeid="{9ed269b2-cd71-450a-8737-93fce1c0ef21}{61}"><span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">Ashi's first breakthrough moment&nbsp;</h2>
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Ashi first gained recognition at the 2023 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/asian-games">Asian Games</a>, where she secured a silver in the 10m event and a gold in the 50m team event. The competition, held in China, was intense, especially with a home crowd cheering for their athletes. &ldquo;The Chinese team is one of the strongest in the world. Beating them in their own backyard was an incredible feeling. It is something I cannot describe in words,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent.&rdquo;<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
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Her journey has been shaped by some of India&rsquo;s top shooting mentors. Initially training under the guidance of Olympian Suma Shirur at the MP State Shooting Academy, she now works with coach Manoj Kumar. 
&ldquo;Suma ma&rsquo;am always told me to trust my training and not change anything before a match. That advice has been invaluable in handling high-pressure situations,&rdquo; she added.<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
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Ashi has witnessed the growing popularity of shooting in India firsthand. &ldquo;When I started in 2018, there were only around 4,000 entries in national competitions. Now, we have over 28,000! More parents are encouraging their children to take up the sport, and medals at the Olympics and Asian Games are inspiring the next generation.&rdquo;<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
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Currently ranked No. 1 in the National Rifle Association of India&rsquo;s rankings, Ashi is preparing for two upcoming World Cups in Argentina and Peru. Having previously competed in Peru, she understands the challenges posed by the windy and cold conditions. &ldquo;I played my first World Cup in Peru three years ago. This time, I&rsquo;m better prepared and excited to return.&rdquo;<span class="EOP SCXW241827308 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}">&nbsp;
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With a national record under her belt and a promising career ahead, Ashi Chouksey is undoubtedly one of India&rsquo;s brightest shooting stars. As she continues to break barriers and aim for greater heights, the future of Indian shooting looks brighter than ever.
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Sports, Olympics: Ashi first gained major recognition at the Asian Games, where she secured a silver in the 10m event and a gold in the 50m team event

Remember what Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins said before the 2023 World Cup final? “Nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent”. Indian shooting sensation Ashi Chouksey knows that feeling all too well. She continues to make waves in the sport, setting new national records and securing multiple international medals. The young sharpshooter has been in stellar form, recently breaking the national record at the just-concluded National Games in Uttarakhand. After a rigorous year of training post-Olympics, Ashi was determined to make a mark at the National Games. Her hard work bore fruit when she clinched the gold medal with an exceptional score. Reflecting on her performance, she told WION, “Everything was working well for me. I was in my zone and didn’t even realize I had broken the national record until the last five shots. My previous record was 597, and I was determined to push beyond that and hit 598. That drive kept me focused till the last shot.” Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Smith should open the batting for Australia, says former Oz wicketkeeper Competing at the highest level comes with immense pressure, but Ashi thrives in such moments. She recalled how, during the final moments of her record-breaking performance, she felt the eyes of the entire stadium on her. “Everyone had their phones out, recording. There was pressure, but I chose to see it as strength rather than a burden. Experience has taught me that staying in the zone is key.” Ashi's first breakthrough moment Ashi first gained recognition at the 2023 Asian Games, where she secured a silver in the 10m event and a gold in the 50m team event. The competition, held in China, was intense, especially with a home crowd cheering for their athletes. “The Chinese team is one of the strongest in the world. Beating them in their own backyard was an incredible feeling. It is something I cannot describe in words,” she said. “Nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent.” Her journey has been shaped by some of India’s top shooting mentors. Initially training under the guidance of Olympian Suma Shirur at the MP State Shooting Academy, she now works with coach Manoj Kumar. “Suma ma’am always told me to trust my training and not change anything before a match. That advice has been invaluable in handling high-pressure situations,” she added. Ashi has witnessed the growing popularity of shooting in India firsthand. “When I started in 2018, there were only around 4,000 entries in national competitions. Now, we have over 28,000! More parents are encouraging their children to take up the sport, and medals at the Olympics and Asian Games are inspiring the next generation.” Currently ranked No. 1 in the National Rifle Association of India’s rankings, Ashi is preparing for two upcoming World Cups in Argentina and Peru. Having previously competed in Peru, she understands the challenges posed by the windy and cold conditions. “I played my first World Cup in Peru three years ago. This time, I’m better prepared and excited to return.” With a national record under her belt and a promising career ahead, Ashi Chouksey is undoubtedly one of India’s brightest shooting stars. As she continues to break barriers and aim for greater heights, the future of Indian shooting looks brighter than ever.

Exclusive | Ashi Chouksey: India’s shooting star on breaking records and silencing crowds

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Exclusive | Ashi Chouksey: India’s shooting star on breaking records and silencing crowds