On Thursday, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) revealed the 30-member shooting team that will represent India at the 20th Asian Games, taking place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. The shooting events are scheduled from September 17 to October 3 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Range.

Selection Process and Team Composition

All athletes selected for the team met the rigorous qualification criteria set by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). The final roster includes 30 athletes, evenly split between 15 men and 15 women, adhering to the strict quota limits imposed by the Games' Organising Committee. After thorough discussions and evaluations, the Committee chose a group of athletes capable of competing in various disciplines. This strategic selection aims to enhance India's participation across all events while optimizing medal prospects in both individual and team categories. Notable double starters include Vidarsa K. Vinod, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Manu Bhaker, and Esha Singh. The final team reflects a careful balance of current performance, international experience, team dynamics, and potential for medals.

Insights from NRAI President

The Selection Committee, in collaboration with the High Performance team, aimed to maximize India's competitiveness in all shooting disciplines, ensuring a robust challenge for podium finishes. NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo commented on the selection process, stating, "Choosing this team was a complex task due to the remarkable talent pool in Indian shooting today. With a cap of 30 athletes for a program that includes 36 event slots, the Committee conducted a detailed evaluation to ensure the final squad offers the best representation and opportunities for success. This team showcases the strength, depth, and versatility of Indian shooting, and we are confident they will represent India with pride in Aichi-Nagoya."

Detailed Squad Breakdown

The final team consists of 12 shotgun shooters and 18 rifle/pistol shooters. Below is the complete breakdown of the squad:

Rifle and Pistol Squad

• 10M Air Rifle Men: Parth Rakesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil




• 10M Air Rifle Women: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, Vidarsa K Vinod




• 50M Rifle 3 Positions Men: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil




• 50M Rifle 3 Positions Women: Ashi Chouksey, Vidarsa K Vinod, Tilottama Sen




• 10M Air Pistol Men: Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Gaurav, Kamaljeet




• 10M Air Pistol Women: Suruchi, Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker




• 25M Rapid Fire Pistol Men: Anish




• 25M Sports Pistol Women: Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, Rahi Sarnobat




• 10M Air Rifle Mixed Team: Parth Rakesh Mane, Elavenil Valarivan




• 10M Air Pistol Mixed Team: Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Suruchi

Shotgun Squad

• Trap Men: Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, Shapath Bharadwaj




• Trap Women: Neeru, Manisha Keer, Aashima Ahlawat




• Skeet Men: Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan




• Skeet Women: Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan

Recent Achievements

Indian shooters have been showcasing impressive performances on the international stage recently, highlighting the nation's growing prowess in rifle, pistol, and shotgun events. Notably, Indian shooters achieved multiple podium finishes at the recent ISSF World Cup circuit, including Esha Singh's gold medal and world-record performance in the women's 25m pistol event at the Munich World Cup. Additionally, Suruchi Singh and Esha's collaboration led to a remarkable gold-silver finish in the women's 10m air pistol event, further emphasizing the depth and consistency of India's shooting program ahead of the Asian Games.