Rajasthan shooter Bhavesh Shekhawat made a strong start to the National Selection Trials 3 by finishing on top after Stage 1 of the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range on Friday.
Shekhawat delivered a composed and consistent performance across three series to post a total score of 294–11x (99, 99, 96), giving him the early lead in a tightly contested field that includes several of India’s top pistol shooters. The event is part of India’s national selection process, where shooters compete for places in the national squad ahead of upcoming international competitions.
Shekhawat Shows Early Consistency
The Rajasthan marksman displayed impressive control and rhythm throughout the opening stage of the competition. His twin scores of 99 in the first two series placed him firmly in contention early, while a 96 in the final series ensured he maintained the top position on the leaderboard.
In rapid fire pistol, maintaining composure across multiple series is crucial due to the demanding nature of the event, where shooters must fire five shots at separate targets within strict time limits. Shekhawat’s ability to produce high scores consistently reflected both technical precision and strong mental focus.
His total of 294 with 11 inner tens (x) gave him a narrow advantage over a strong chasing pack.
Olympic Shooter Bhanwala Close Behind
Trailing Shekhawat in second place was Anish Bhanwala, one of India’s most accomplished rapid fire pistol specialists. Bhanwala registered a total of 291–11x with series scores of 97, 98 and 96, demonstrating his typical steadiness under pressure.
The Olympian has long been regarded as one of India’s leading pistol shooters, and his presence near the top of the standings underlines the depth of competition in the discipline. Bhanwala’s experience in international competitions could play a decisive role when the event progresses to the next stage and eventual finals.
Punjab shooter Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu secured third place after Stage 1 with a total score of 291, matching Bhanwala’s aggregate but with fewer inner tens. Sandhu shot 96, 98 and 97 in his three series, maintaining consistent scoring throughout the stage.
His performance keeps him firmly in the medal race as the competition moves toward Stage 2, where shooters will look to build on their opening performances.
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Close behind the top three was National Champion Suraj Sharma, who finished fourth with a score of 290–9x. Sharma produced series scores of 98, 95 and 97, remaining within striking distance of the leaders. Given the narrow margins separating the top shooters, even a single point could prove decisive in the next stage of the competition.
Tight Competition in the Middle of the Field
The rest of the field remained tightly packed, highlighting the competitive standard of the trials. Ankur Goel finished with 289–12x, while Mukesh Nelavalli also posted 289–7x. Young pistol shooter Vijayveer Sidhu recorded 289–6x, including a perfect 100 in one of his series, demonstrating flashes of brilliance despite a slightly lower final aggregate.
Adarsh Singh also ended on 289, followed by Pradeep Singh and Omkar Singh, both finishing with 286. Further down the standings were Udhayveer Sidhu and Neeraj Kumar, each scoring 284, while Mandeep Singh rounded out the leaderboard with 281.
With many shooters separated by only a few points, the upcoming stage promises to be highly competitive.
Focus Shifts to Stage 2 and Finals
The competition will continue with Stage 2 of the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event, after which the top shooters will advance to the finals. The second stage will test the athletes’ consistency and endurance, as they attempt to maintain precision under pressure. Meanwhile, action at the trials will expand on Saturday as 10m rifle shooters take to the range for their qualification and finals events.
The National Selection Trials play a vital role in determining India’s shooting squads for upcoming international tournaments. With major competitions such as ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships and the Asian Games cycle approaching, performances at these trials will significantly influence team selection decisions.
For shooters like Bhavesh Shekhawat, a strong showing at the trials could open the door to more opportunities on the international circuit. Although only the first stage has been completed, Shekhawat’s impressive score of 294 gives him a valuable early advantage.
However, with several experienced shooters close behind, the battle for the top spots remains wide open.
As Stage 2 approaches, the focus will shift to whether Shekhawat can maintain his momentum or if the chasing pack, led by Anish Bhanwala, can close the gap and challenge for the top position.
