India’s shooting ace Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar underlined his class and composure yet again as he successfully defended his 50m Rifle 3 Positions (3P) title at the 16th Asian Shooting Championships 2025 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, on August 24.
The 23-year-old from Madhya Pradesh produced a near-flawless performance in the final, scoring 462.5 points, to claim the gold medal ahead of China’s Zhao Wenyu (462.0) and Japan’s Naoya Okada (450.7). For Tomar, this victory was not just about a medal, but also about consolidating his reputation as one of Asia’s finest rifle shooters. It was his second consecutive Asian Championship gold in this discipline, having won the crown in Changwon in 2023.
A Final of High Intensity
The 50m Rifle 3 Positions final is regarded as one of the most demanding events in shooting, testing athletes across kneeling, prone, and standing positions. Tomar, who has built his reputation on steadiness under pressure, showcased exactly that in Shymkent. After a solid start in the kneeling series, Tomar moved into the lead during the prone series, where his precision shone through. From that point, he never looked back. China’s Zhao mounted a late challenge during the standing shots, closing the gap to just half a point at one stage, but Tomar’s composure proved decisive.
With calm, clinical execution in the closing rounds, he sealed the gold by a narrow margin of 0.5 points—a testament to the fine margins that define elite-level shooting. His final tally of 462.5 was built on consistency rather than flamboyance, with every series marked by stable technique and sharp focus.
Indian Trio in the Final
The men’s 50m 3P final in Shymkent was significant for India in more ways than one. Alongside Tomar, experienced campaigners Chain Singh and Akhil Sheoran also made it to the final, highlighting the depth in India’s rifle shooting contingent. Though they did not finish on the podium individually, their combined performances earlier in the day ensured India clinched the team silver medal in the men’s 50m 3P event. The result added to India’s growing medal tally in Shymkent, strengthening the nation’s position as a dominant force in Asian shooting.
Junior Success: Adriyan Karmakar Breaks Record
India’s success story in Shymkent was not limited to the senior ranks. In the junior men’s 50m Rifle 3P event, Adriyan Karmakar produced a sensational display, shooting 463.8 in the final to clinch the gold medal with an Asian junior record. His achievement underscores the exciting pipeline of talent in Indian shooting. At just 18, Karmakar’s ability to deliver under pressure augurs well for India’s future in rifle events, especially with major competitions like the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon.
Since emerging as one of India’s brightest prospects in rifle shooting, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar has steadily built an impressive portfolio. A product of the Mhow Army Marksmanship Unit, he has consistently made his presence felt in both junior and senior competitions. His Asian Championship victories in 2023 (Changwon) and now 2025 (Shymkent) have cemented his position as one of the most reliable performers in the 50m Rifle 3P event.
Known for his calm demeanour, Tomar’s ability to handle crunch situations has become his trademark a quality that was once again on display in Shymkent when Zhao threatened to overtake him in the dying stages.
Tomar’s gold in Shymkent holds significance on multiple levels:
- Back-to-Back Titles: Successfully defending a continental crown highlights his consistency and staying power at the elite level.
- Psychological Edge: Narrowly holding off a strong Chinese challenge boosts his confidence heading into future world competitions.
- Team Impact: With Chain Singh and Akhil Sheoran also in the final, India demonstrated depth, signaling that the 50m Rifle 3P is a stronghold for the country.
- Momentum for Future: Tomar’s win adds to India’s growing reputation in shooting, reinforcing the nation’s emergence as a powerhouse in Asia.
India’s Overall Medal Tally in Shymkent
The 16th Asian Shooting Championships have already proven fruitful for India, with medals across both senior and junior categories. Tomar’s gold and the team silver are among the highlights of Day 7, while Karmakar’s record-breaking performance in juniors ensures the spotlight continues to shine on India’s young guns. These results reflect the balance of experience and youth within the Indian shooting contingent veterans delivering on expectations while juniors push new frontiers.
In Shymkent, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar showed once again why he is one of India’s brightest medal hopes in world shooting. His ability to hold his nerve in a tense final, edging past China’s Zhao Wenyu by the slimmest of margins, illustrates both his technical brilliance and mental toughness. Backed by teammates Chain Singh and Akhil Sheoran in the team silver, and inspired by Adriyan Karmakar’s record-breaking junior gold, Tomar’s triumph adds another golden chapter to India’s shooting story.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics now less than three years away, victories like these not only build confidence but also establish India’s shooters as serious contenders on the global stage. For Tomar, defending his Asian crown was more than just a repeat it was a reaffirmation that he belongs among the very best in the sport.
