A glimpse of top five best Indian shooters at Asian Games 2023

Indian Shooting contingent's historic triumph at Asian Games 2023.

In a historic achievement, the Indian shooting contingent made history at the Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China, by clinching a remarkable total of 22 medals in various shooting events. The medals included seven golds, nine silvers, and six bronze medals, establishing the best-ever medal tally for India in shooting at the Asian Games.

Two standout performances that shone brightly were those of Palak Gulia and Sift Kaur Samra, who secured individual gold medals in their respective categories. Palak Gulia's victory came in the 10m air pistol, while Sift Kaur Samra triumphed in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. Notably, Samra's gold-medal performance also set a new world record with a score of 469.6.

As of October 1, India proudly stood in the overall medal standings with a total of 51 medals, with an outstanding 22 of them attributed to the exceptional performance of its shooters.

Let's take a closer look at the top five Indian shooters who left their mark on the Asian Games 2023:

1. Sift Kaur Samra:

Sift Kaur Samra achieved a remarkable feat by securing the gold medal in the women's 50m rifle 3-position individual event, shattering the World Record with an impressive score of 469.6. Her stellar performance put her ahead of China's Zhang Qiongyue in the competition. Samra also clinched the silver medal in the women's 50m rifle 3P team event final alongside her teammates Ashi Chouksey and Manini Kaushik.

Sift Kaur Samra's journey in shooting began during her 10th-grade studies at Baba Farid Public School in Faridkot. She made a bold decision to leave her MBBS studies behind in pursuit of a career in shooting, a choice her family wholeheartedly supported.

2. Palak Gulia:

Palak Gulia, born on November 9, 2005, is a prominent Indian sport shooter specializing in the 10m air pistol discipline. She proudly represents India as a member of the national shooting team at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. Palak's exceptional talent and dedication led her to secure a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Asian Games, where she also set a new Asian Games record. Additionally, she contributed to India's success by clinching a silver medal alongside her teammates Divya T.S. and Esha Singh in the team event.

3. Aishwarya Pratap Tomar:

Aishwarya Singh Tomar, the Indian ace shooter, secured a silver medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions individual event. He also won the bronze medal in the men's 10m air rifle event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Aishwary's remarkable performance demonstrated his prowess in shooting, adding to India's medal tally.

4. Esha Singh:

Esha Singh, the Indian shooter, showcased her remarkable talent at the Asian Games, clinching multiple medals. She, along with teammates Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan, secured a gold in the women's 25m pistol team event. Esha added to her medal haul with a silver in the individual 25m pistol event and another silver in the 10m air pistol event. Her impressive contributions played a significant role in India's success.

5. Anant Jeet Singh Naruka:

Indian shooter Anant Jeet Singh Naruka secured the silver medal in the men's skeet event at the Asian Games. He had earlier contributed to the team's success, winning a gold medal alongside Angad Vir Singh Bajwa and Gurjoat Khangura. Naruka's near-perfect score of 58 out of 60 showcased his exceptional skill in the skeet event, earning him a well-deserved place on the podium.

These outstanding performances by Indian shooters at the Asian Games 2023 not only made the nation proud but also highlighted the immense talent and dedication present in the Indian shooting fraternity. The Indian shooting contingent's historic achievements are set to inspire future generations of shooters to aim for excellence on the global stage.