India could not have asked for a more explosive start to the Deaflympics 2025 shooting campaign.
On a Sunday filled with high-quality performances, the Indian contingent delivered two major medal hauls including a remarkable double podium in the women’s 10m Air Rifle and a historic 1–2 finish in the men’s event, capped by a world-record performance. By the end of the day, India’s shooters had firmly stamped their presence on the global stage, sending out a message that the country’s depth in rifle shooting extends far beyond the mainstream circuit.
The day’s first big headline came from the women’s 10m Air Rifle event, where Mahit Sandhu and Komal Waghmare produced controlled, consistent shooting to clinch silver and bronze, respectively. Mahit shot a personal best of 250.5, reflecting the poise and precision that have defined her rise in the deaf shooting circuit. Already the Deaf World Championships silver medallist in 10m Air Rifle and a multiple-time world champion in 50m 3-Position (R3P), Mahit once again demonstrated her ability to hold her nerve in high-pressure finals.
Komal Waghmare, meanwhile, registered 228.3 to take bronze. It was a gritty performance from the Maharashtra shooter, who has steadily climbed the ranks and now adds her first Deaflympics medal to an already promising young career. Together, their performances gave India its first double podium of the day and set the tone for what would soon become a landmark outing.
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With these results, India’s medal tally from the women’s event stood at one silver and one bronze, making it one of the strongest opening-day performances the country has recorded in the event.
Dhanush Srikanth Breaks World Record, Leads India to 1–2 Finish
If the women’s podium double set the tempo, what followed in the men’s 10m Air Rifle event turned the range into a showcase of Indian excellence.
Dhanush Srikanth, the reigning Deaflympics 2021 gold medallist, produced one of the greatest finals ever seen in the competition, winning gold with a staggering world record score of 252.2. His performance was not just historic for the Deaflympics it surpassed the final score of current able-bodied World Champion Maximilian Dallinger, whose winning mark stands at 252.0.
That comparison alone demonstrates the extraordinary calibre of Dhanush’s talent. Already known for bridging the gap between deaf and able-bodied shooting with medals and finals appearances in mainstream national competitions he has now strengthened his legacy with another Deaflympics gold, but this time with a global benchmark. Right behind him was Mohammad Vania, who shot 250.1 to secure silver, completing a spectacular Indian 1–2 sweep. Vania’s impressive consistency ensured that India dominated the latter stages of the final, shutting out strong international contenders with settled technique and clean hold times.
This quadruple-medal haul featuring a world record, two podium sweeps, and the emergence of both experienced champions and promising new talents marks one of the best opening-day performances by India in any edition of the Deaflympics. With shooters like Dhanush Srikanth continuing to raise global standards and athletes like Mahit Sandhu and Komal Waghmare reinforcing India’s depth across categories, the contingent has built early momentum that could carry into multiple events across the week.
The dominance on display in both the men’s and women’s finals also reaffirms India’s rising stature in global rifle shooting. The fact that a Deaflympics final produced a score higher than the reigning world champion in the able-bodied circuit underscores the unique excellence of this group.
Day 1 could well be the sign of an extraordinary campaign in Kaohsiung. India’s shooters have arrived with intent, confidence, and world-beating form and if this electric Sunday is any indication, the medal count is set to rise sharply in the coming days.
What a rollicking start to the Deaflympics 2025. India has truly arrived.
