The Best of Indian Shooting at 38th National Games, who to watch out for
The 38th National Games in Uttarakhand has already ignited excitement, drawing some of the biggest names in Indian sports.
Among the most eagerly anticipated events is shooting—a discipline where India has consistently excelled on the global stage.
This year, the competition promises to be nothing short of spectacular, with Olympic champions, Asian Games medalists, Commonwealth Games heroes, and a host of other talented shooters set to battle it out for glory.
Punjab and Haryana, renowned for producing talented athletes, are set to make a statement at the 38th National Games with their star-studded contingents.
Maharashtra and Rajasthan too are stepping up with their finest athletes, determined to make their mark at the Games.
Pistol category:
The men’s 10m air pistol category promises to be a showcase of elite talent.
Leading the charge is Olympic bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh (HAR), whose precision and composure make him a formidable contender. Adding to the excitement is the highly anticipated return of Saurabh Chaudhary (UP), a name that has become synonymous with Indian shooting excellence.
Known for his meteoric rise and iconic performances, Saurabh’s presence is sure to raise the stakes.
Also joining the fray is 2024 Olympian Arjun Singh Cheema (PUN), whose international experience adds depth to an already thrilling lineup.
The 25m rapid fire pistol event boasts an exceptional lineup. Among the prominent names is Haryana’s Anish Bhanwala, the CWG 2018 gold medallist, joined by Adarsh Singh.
Adding a historic touch to the competition is Vijay Kumar from Himachal Pradesh, the 2012 London Olympics silver medallist, who is aiming to extend his illustrious career with yet another standout performance.
Punjab’s campaign will feature Olympian Vijayveer Sidhu and his brother Udhayveer Sidhu.
The host state, Uttarakhand, will proudly field Ankur Goel, bringing local pride to the forefront. Meanwhile, Rajasthan will be represented by Bhavesh Shekhawat.
Among the headliners in women’s pistol events is Heena Sidhu (MH), the first Indian pistol shooter to achieve the world number one ranking, making her much-anticipated return to the field.
Joining her is Asian Games gold medallist Rahi Sarnobat (MH), another stalwart of Indian shooting, eager to assert her dominance. Also in the lineup is University Games medallist Simranpreet Kaur Brar, whose rapid rise has made her a name to watch.
Haryana’s contingent is particularly illustrious, boasting a stellar list that includes Rhythm Sangwan, Suruchi, Palak, Surbhi Rao, Yashaswini Singh Deswal, and veteran Annu Raj Singh.
Karnataka’s campaign is bolstered by Divya TS, while Maharashtra fields another strong competitor in 25m pistol shooter Abhidnya Ashok.
Rifle category:
The rifle events promise a fierce battle among some of the most celebrated and emerging talents in Indian shooting.
Maharashtra will be led by none other than Swapnil Kusale, India’s first medallist in the 50m 3-Position event, alongside 2022 Asian Games and World Championship gold medallist Rudrankksh Patil, competing in the 10m Air Rifle category.
In the 50m 3-Position lineup is Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar from Madhya Pradesh, a household name in Indian shooting.
Emerging talents Adriyan Karmakar and Abhinav Shaw (WB) are also set to showcase their skills, while Uttar Pradesh’s Akhil Sheoran, the 2023 ISSF World Championships bronze medallist in the same event, adds significant experience to the mix.In the 10m Air Rifle event, Punjab’s Arjun Babuta will aim to shake off the Paris setbacks and reclaim his place at the top.
Divyansh Panwar, representing Rajasthan, former junior champion Hriday Hazarika from Assam and Karthik Sabari from Tamil Nadu will also be seen at the games.
The women’s rifle events features some of biggest names. Gujarat’s Olympian Elavenil Valarivan will be seen in action in the 10m Air Rifle event, joined by Haryana’s dynamic duo of Namita Jindal and Nancy.
Karnataka’s Asian Championships silver medallist prodigy, Tilottama Sen, and Madhya Pradesh’s Asian Games medallist, Ashi Chouksey, along with Gautami Bhanot, further elevate the competition. Maharashtra’s Sonam and Odisha’s Shriyanka Sadangi will also aim to leave their mark.
Meanwhile, the 50m 3-Position event will see Punjab’s world record holder Sift Kaur Samra and the seasoned Anjum Moudgil taking center stage. Tamil Nadu’s Narmada Nithin and West Bengal’s Ayushi Podder will also be seen in action.
Shotgun category:
The shotgun events will be much anticipated ones. In Women’s Trap, the spotlight shines on Commonwealth Games gold medalist Shreyasi Singh from Bihar, whose experience and expertise make her a top contender, alongside Punjab’s Rajeshwari Kumari, a consistent force in the shooting arena.
The Men’s Trap lineup is equally electrifying, featuring stalwarts like Lakshay, Ankur Mittal, and Bhowneesh Mendiratta from Haryana, joined by Punjab’s Zorawar Sandhu, Rajasthan’s Vivaan Kapoor, Tamil Nadu’s Prithviraj Tondaiman, and Uttar Pradesh’s Shardul Vihan, representing a perfect blend of seasoned champions and rising stars.
The Women’s Skeet category brings together a powerhouse of talent, led by Haryana’s record-breaking Raiza Dhillon and Punjab’s Asian Games medallist Ganemat Sekhon, with strong challenges expected from Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Darshana Rathore, Maheshwari Chauhan, and Areeba Khan.
Meanwhile, in Men’s Skeet, all eyes will be on Punjab’s Angad Vir Singh Bajwa, a trailblazer in Indian skeet shooting, alongside formidable competitors like Zoravar Singh Sandhu and Anantjeet Singh Naruka.
