India’s 21-strong shooting contingent is heading to the Paris Olympics with renewed hope and determination to end the country’s 12-year medal drought in the sport. The team’s composition and rigorous selection process reflect a concerted effort to address the shortcomings of previous Olympics.
Record-breaking Indian shooting contingent
With a record 21 shooters participating, India has assembled its largest-ever Olympic shooting squad. This significant increase in numbers underlines the nation’s growing stature in the sport and raises expectations for a medal haul.
India’s Paris Olympics – Shooting contingent
RIFLE
Men’s 10m air rifle: Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta.
Women’s 10m air rifle: Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita Jindal.
Women’s 50m rifle 3 positions: Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil.
Men’s 50m rifle 3 positions: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale.
10m air rifle mixed team: Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan, Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal.
PISTOL
Men’s 10m air pistol: Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Cheema.
Women’s 10m air pistol: Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan.
Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu.
Women’s 25m pistol: Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh
10m air pistol mixed team: Sarabjot Singh/Manu Bhaker, Arjun Singh Cheema/Rhythm Sangwan.
SHOTGUN
Men’s trap: Prithviraj Tondaiman.
Women’s trap: Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh.
Men’s skeet: Anantjeet Singh Naruka.
Women’s skeet: Maheshwari Chauhan, Raiza Dhillon.
Skeet mixed team: Anantjeet Singh Naruka/Maheshwari Chauhan.
Overcoming past challenges ft Indian shooters
The previous two Olympics have been disappointing for Indian shooting, with the team failing to win a single medal. The reasons for this underperformance are complex, including factors such as intense competition, pressure, and coaching challenges.
In an attempt to rectify these issues, the Indian shooting team has implemented several changes. A stringent selection process, featuring multiple trials, has been introduced to ensure that only the fittest and most deserving athletes make the cut.
Who are India’s strong contenders at Paris Olympics?
India boasts a talented pool of shooters who have consistently performed well at international competitions. The likes of Manu Bhaker, Sift Kaur Samra, and Sarabjot Singh are among the favorites to win medals. However, translating this success to the Olympic stage remains a challenge.
The team’s ability to handle the immense pressure of the Olympics will be crucial. While the recent Asian Games performance was encouraging, the competition at the Olympics is expected to be even tougher.
Road to Gold at Paris Olympics
The shooting events at the Paris Olympics will take place from July 27 to August 5 at the Chateauroux range. India’s campaign begins with the mixed team 10m air rifle event on July 27.
With a strong team and meticulous preparation, India has the potential to break the Olympic medal drought. However, the road to glory will be challenging, and the shooters will need to deliver their best performances to achieve their goals.
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