The Trishul Shooting Range in Dehradun will once again take centre stage in Indian shooting, as the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) announced that it will host the Selection Trials 3 and 4 for rifle and pistol events from June 24 to June 30, 2025.
These crucial trials will be used to finalize India’s shooting squads for the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships, as well as for upcoming ISSF World Cups in Egypt and China.
The Trishul Shooting Range, which received praise for its facilities during the 2025 National Games held earlier this year, is fast becoming one of the premier shooting venues in the country.
The return of top-tier events like these trials further cements its reputation within India’s shooting ecosystem.
High Stakes, Limited Entry
These trials are not open to all. As per the NRAI’s strict selection criteria, only Group A shooters—those currently among the top performers in national rankings—will be eligible to participate. This includes a highly competitive field of shooters eyeing international berths.
The event will cover all Olympic rifle and pistol disciplines, with limited slots to ensure quality and competitiveness:
- 10m Air Rifle (Men and Women) – 50 shooters each
- 10m Air Pistol (Men and Women) – 50 shooters each
- 50m Rifle 3 Positions (Men and Women) – 30 shooters each
- 25m Rapid Fire Pistol (Men) – 20 shooters
- 25m Sports Pistol (Women) – 30 shooters
The trials are expected to witness the participation of many prominent names, including Olympians and recent medal winners, all vying for a spot in the squad for the Asian Championships, widely considered one of the most competitive events on the calendar, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 World Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India’s Dominance at the 2024 Asian Shooting Championships
The upcoming continental meet holds even more importance considering India’s dominant performance in the 2024 edition of the Asian Shooting Championships, which were held from December 8, 2023, to January 11, 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
India emerged overall champions at the 2024 edition, topping the medal tally with 19 medals, including:
- 7 Gold
- 6 Silver
- 6 Bronze
This stellar performance also secured India multiple Olympic quotas, playing a key role in building momentum for the Paris 2024 Games.
One of the standout moments came on the final day of the tournament, when Rhythm Sangwan clinched a bronze medal in the women’s 25m pistol, thereby sealing India’s 16th Olympic quota in shooting.
Rhythm, who had a remarkable tournament, ended with five medals to her name—1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze—establishing herself as one of the rising stars of Indian shooting.
Her medal-winning performance in the final event also marked India’s second Olympic quota in the women’s 25m pistol category, further strengthening the nation’s pistol shooting depth.
Earlier in the tournament, Varun Tomar and Esha Singh had bagged Olympic quotas in the 10m air pistol men’s and women’s events, respectively, taking India’s total to 16 Paris 2024 quotas—a record haul for the nation in a single Olympic cycle.
With the Paris Olympics now behind, Indian shooting is turning its gaze towards maintaining dominance in Asia and preparing a strong core group for Los Angeles 2028.
The trials in Dehradun will be crucial for identifying not just experienced shooters but also emerging talent who can carry the baton forward in the next Olympic cycle.
Dehradun, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, offers ideal weather and modern infrastructure, which have made it an increasingly favored destination for major shooting events.
Its selection for these trials indicates the NRAI’s confidence in the venue’s ability to deliver high-performance environments.
As the countdown to the 2025 Asian Shooting Championships begins, the upcoming trials in Dehradun will be one of the most significant domestic events in Indian shooting this year.
With Olympic quotas and continental dominance at stake, the Trishul Shooting Range will be a battleground where India’s best aim to prove their mettle.
All eyes will now be on the selection outcomes—and whether the next generation can continue India’s strong legacy in the sport.
