Samrat Rana Becomes India's First World Champion in 10m Air Pistol

In a remarkable achievement for Indian shooting, Samrat Rana has become the first Indian marksman to win a gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships held in Cairo. The 20-year-old from Karnal delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 243.7 in a high-pressure final that saw fierce competition from top shooters.

Moments after his victory, an emotional Rana expressed disbelief at his accomplishment, stating, "I still can’t believe it. I think it’s a happy hunting ground for me. I won two medals here in Cairo at the junior world championships in 2022. I like the ambience. I was just trying to focus on my technique in every shot towards the end." His composure under pressure proved vital as he navigated a final where the lead shifted multiple times between him, China’s Hu Kai, and fellow Indian Varun Tomar.

The competition concluded with a narrow margin, Rana edging out Hu Kai by just 0.4 points. This win not only highlights Rana’s skill but also signifies a significant moment for Indian shooting as it marked the first instance of two Indian shooters standing on the podium for the same event at the World Championships.

Varun Tomar, the 21-year-old from Baghpat and cousin of Olympic shooter Saurabh Chaudhary, secured the bronze medal with a score of 221.7. Tomar’s performance demonstrated remarkable focus and contributed to India’s growing reputation in the sport.

Earlier in the tournament, Rana had topped the qualification round with an impressive score of 586, slightly ahead of Tomar, who matched his total but had fewer inner 10s. Together with Shravan Kumar, they collectively earned the team gold for India, amassing a total score of 1754.

Rana’s victory represents a significant milestone for Indian shooting sports, reflecting the country’s emerging dominance in international competitions. The young shooter’s triumph comes as a personal redemption, having narrowly missed out on qualification for the ISSF World Cup final in Ningbo earlier this year. He reflected on his journey, stating, "I just kept reminding myself to stay calm and trust my process. It feels unreal to finally see it all come together." This achievement not only brings pride to Rana but also to the Indian shooting community, showcasing the potential and talent present in the nation’s young athletes.