In a display of remarkable skill and composure, the Indian shooting duo of Samrat Rana and Suruchi Singh secured a silver medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the ongoing Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 in New Delhi. This achievement adds another glittering chapter to India’s commanding performance as the host nation, firmly establishing the country’s dominance on the continental shooting stage.
A Record-Breaking Performance
Competing against Asia’s best, the Indian pair put up a stellar fight in the final. Samrat Rana, the reigning world champion, teamed up with the accomplished World Cup finalist, Suruchi Singh, to post an impressive score of 479.6. This score is not just a personal best for the duo but also set a new World and Asian Junior Record.
Their journey to the silver medal was marked by precision and nerve, as they began the final series strongly, leading the pack after the initial rounds. However, the experienced Uzbek pair of Nigina Saidkulova and Mukhammad Kamalov, who eventually won gold with a score of 481.3, managed to overtake them in the later stages. The narrow margin highlights the intense competition at the highest level.
Path to the Podium
The road to the final was equally challenging. In the qualification round, Rana and Singh scored a combined 583, tying exactly with the skilled Vietnamese pair of Vinh Thu Trinh and Minh Cong Lai. The tie was broken in India’s favor due to a higher count of Inner 10s the shots closest to the center of the target a rule that often decides the fate of shooters in closely contested matches.
Unfortunately, India’s second team in the event, featuring the experienced Manu Bhaker and Sharvan Kumar, scored 571 and finished ninth, narrowly missing a spot in the final.
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India’s Commanding Lead in the Medal Tally
This silver medal has significantly bolstered India’s position at the top of the championship standings. After just two days of competition, India has opened up a massive lead with a staggering haul of:
- 10 Gold Medals
- 5 Silver Medals
- 1 Bronze Medal
This places India far ahead of second-placed Uzbekistan, which has three gold medals. The host nation’s success spans across all categories Senior, Junior, and Youth showcasing a robust and systemic development of shooting talent in the country.
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Young Guns Fire: Junior and Youth Success Stories
The championship has been a spectacular platform for India’s next generation of shooters. The junior and youth categories witnessed complete Indian dominance:
- In the Women’s 10m Air Pistol Junior event, it was an all-Indian podium as Rashmika Sahgal clinched the gold medal with a score of 237.9, while Vanshika Chaudhary secured the silver. This 1-2 finish underscored the depth of talent in the junior ranks.
- Mirroring this feat in the Youth category, Priyanshi Purva won gold, and Chahek Kohla took silver, demonstrating a powerful pipeline of future champions.
Team Golds Cement Dominance
India’s prowess was further amplified in the team events, where coordination and collective performance are key:
- The Junior Women’s Air Pistol Team, comprising Rashmika Sahgal, Vanshika Chaudhary, and Agam Grewal, shot a combined total of 1714 to win gold, finishing a massive 43 points ahead of the silver-winning team from Kazakhstan.
- Similarly, the Youth Women’s Air Pistol Team of Priyanshi Purva, Chahek Kohla, and Shiksha Saran dominated their event with a gold-winning score of 1709, once again leaving Kazakhstan to settle for silver.
A Look at India’s Air Pistol Campaign
The silver in the mixed team event is a key part of India’s successful campaign in the air pistol discipline at this championship. So far, Indian shooters have excelled across events:
- Esha Singh won individual gold in the women’s 10m air pistol.
- The Women’s Air Pistol Team also secured a gold medal.
- The Men’s Air Pistol Team won a silver medal.
- Samrat Rana added an individual bronze to his tally before his mixed team silver.
Why This Championship Matters
The Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship is a premier event that serves as a crucial qualifying platform for major global competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympics. Dominance here signals strong form and readiness for the world stage. The 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, in which Rana and Singh excelled, is now a permanent fixture in the Olympic program, making success in this event at continental levels even more significant.
