New Delhi, March 18: Indian rifle and pistol shooters displayed exceptional form at the Polish Grand Prix, securing a total of six medals, including two golds. This impressive performance comes as a major boost for the contingent currently on an exposure tour of Europe in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The star of the show was Akhil Sheoran, who claimed gold in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions (3P) Match 2. Sheoran's score of 468.4 not only secured him the top spot but also surpassed the existing world record of 466.1. Anish Bhanwala continued his golden run by winning the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol at the Józef Piłsudski Grand Prix held concurrently.
Navy shooter Niraj Kumar also impressed with a double bronze medal performance in both men's 3P events. He displayed remarkable consistency with scores of 595 and 594 in the qualifications. While Neeraj finished third in the first match, Swapnil Kusale narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the second, despite topping the qualification round.
The women's contingent also contributed significantly. Sriyanka Sadangi, another Paris quota winner, bagged a bronze medal in the women's 3P, while Aashi Chouksey secured a silver medal in the second women's 3P event. This comprehensive medal haul signifies the strong form of Indian shooters as they gear up for the upcoming Olympics.
