Trishool Shooting Range witnessed an intense battle on Day 4 of Shooting at the 38th National Games, as Punjab emerged victorious in the 10M Air Rifle Mixed Team event.
The duo of Arjun Babuta and Ojasvi Thakur showcased exceptional precision and composure, securing the gold medal with a 16-12 victory over Maharashtra.
Despite a strong challenge from Maharashtra’s Arya Borse and Rudrankksh Patil, Punjab maintained their edge, sealing the win with a final shot score of 21.4 against Maharashtra’s 21.0.
Maharashtra’s determined efforts earned them a well-fought silver medal, adding to their strong presence in the shooting events.
The contest remained highly competitive until the last moment, making it one of the most thrilling encounters of the tournament.
In the bronze medal match, West Bengal’s Abhinav Shaw and Ismita Bhowal put up an impressive performance to defeat Gujarat by 17-11.
Their final shot score of 21.1 proved superior to Gujarat’s 20.4, earning them a well-deserved place on the podium.
“It feels absolutely amazing to win gold for our state, and of course, it was a true team effort,” said Ojasvi Thakur, expressing joy after Punjab’s victory in the 10M Air Rifle Mixed Team event.
Arjun Babuta added, “While on the shooting range and aiming for gold, we both focused on our individual performances, striving to achieve the maximum points.”
The duo also appreciated the infrastructure and management of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, acknowledging the well-organized event that provided athletes with excellent facilities and support.
Final Results – 10M Air Rifle Mixed Team
• Gold: Punjab (Arjun Babuta & Ojasvi Thakur) – 16-12 against Maharashtra
• Silver: Maharashtra (Arya Borse & Rudrankksh Patil)
• Bronze: West Bengal (Abhinav Shaw & Ismita Bhowal) – 17-11 against Gujarat
The qualification round saw participation from 25 teams across India, with the top four teams advancing to the final.
Punjab led the qualification standings with a score of 631.7, followed by Maharashtra (630.7), West Bengal (630.6), and Gujarat (629.4).
25M Pistol Women
In another highlight of the day, the 25M Pistol Women event featured 30 top shooters across states competing for a spot in the final.
After a fiercely contested qualification round, the top eight shooters advancing to the medal round are:
1. Simranpreet Kaur Brar (Punjab) – 579
2. Pushpanjali Rana (Delhi) – 578
3. T S Divya (Karnataka) – 577
4. Rahi Jeevan Sarnobat (Maharashtra) – 576
5. Annu Raj (Haryana) – 576
6. Riya Shirish Thatte (Maharashtra) – 576
7. Neeraj Kaur (Punjab) – 574
8. Anjali Choudhary (Haryana) – 573
The finalists will now compete for the medals in the upcoming round at the Trishool Shooting Range. With more shooting events lined up, the competition remains intense at the 38th National Games.
