Sports, Sept 29: India secured a gold medal in the men’s 50m Rifle 3P Team event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The Indian trio of shooters, comprised of Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale, and Akhil Sheoran, not only claimed the top spot but also achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the World Record in the process.
Their journey to the gold medal was nothing short of exceptional, as they collectively scored a cumulative total of 1769 points. This outstanding achievement not only earned them the gold but also shattered the previous World Record, set by the United States in 2022 at the CAT championships, by an impressive eight points.
In the qualification event leading up to the final, both Swapnil and Aishwary demonstrated their exceptional shooting skills by accumulating identical scores of 591 points. This secured them the first and second positions in the qualification round, ensuring their advancement to the highly anticipated final scheduled for later in the day. While their scores were equal, Swapnil, at the age of 33, held the edge over his compatriot Aishwary, aged 27, in the ranking table due to a superior inner 10s record.
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This extraordinary performance not only resulted in a gold medal but also set a new qualification record for the Asian Games and the entire continent of Asia. However, despite his impressive individual ranking, Akhil Sheoran, who secured the fifth position, did not qualify for the final round. This was due to the tournament’s regulations, which allow only two shooters from each country to participate in the final.
The victory in the men’s 50m Rifle 3P Team event is a testament to the exceptional talent and hard work of India’s shooters. It highlights the country’s growing dominance in the field of shooting sports on the international stage. The dedication and precision displayed by Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale, and Akhil Sheoran not only earned them the top spot but also etched their names in the record books by breaking the World Record.
