Gagan Narang: Top five achievements of ace shooter's career

The marksman clinched the bronze medal for India at the 2012 London Olympics

Gagan Narang is a heavyweight in the sport of shooting. The athlete has an incredible list of achievements throughout his career. Moreover, he has continued to promote the game, help athletes and bring awareness to shooting as a lucrative option for the youngsters.

The 37-year-old runs the ‘Guns for Glory’ academy that nurtures shooting talent and also helps the athletes in resourcing shooting equipment. He has done immense work in raising the standard of the sport in India over the years among his other accolades on the international front.

Looking back at Gagan Narang’s glorious career for India, one can only appreciate and be thankful for his services. Among his list of achievements, following five are the most notable:

5. Gold medals at the World Cup 

Gagan Narang has been sensational in the ISSF World Cup events over the past years. He has accumulated three gold medals and two bronze medals across three editions. He won a gold during the 2006 ISSF World Cup in Guangzhou in the 10m air rifle event. 

Narang won his second World Cup gold in the Final of the 10m air rifle event in Bangkok (2008). He delivered the third gold medal during the 2009 World Cup in Changwon in the 50m rifle 3 Positions event.

4. Four gold medals at 2006 Commonwealth Games

Gagan Narang truly burst onto the international stage when he bagged four gold medals for India at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. India won a total of 22 gold medals in the multi-sport international meet and four of them came thanks to Narang.

The athlete opened his account with the gold in Men's 10m Air Rifle. He later won two golds with fellow countryman Abhinav Bindra in the Men's 10m Air Rifle (Pairs) and Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions (Pairs) events. He secured the fourth gold by winning the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.

3, National Awards

The Government of India has recognised Gagan Narang’s efforts, like many other reputed sportspersons of the country. He has been conferred national awards for his services and contributions in the field of sports. Narang received the Arjuna Award in 2005.

Furthermore, Narang received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honor in the country in 2010. Narang earned the Padma Shri award, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in 2011.

2. Four gold medals at 2010 Commonwealth Games

Gagan Narang continued his impressive performance in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The athlete helped India by clinching four golds in the 2010 Delhi games. The games were organised in India and expectations were high. However, Narang did not disappoint and won India’s first gold of the meet in the Men's 10m Air rifle pairs event alongside Abhinav Bindra.

He continued his form and secured three more golds in Men's 10m air rifle individual, Men's 50m rifle three positions individual and Men's 50m air rifle three positions pairs with Imran Hassan Khan. Thanks to his contribution, India managed a total of 38 golds overall.

1. Bronze at 2012 London Olympics

Gagan Narang’s biggest achievement came on the biggest stage possible, during the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London, England. The shooter secured the bronze in the 10m air rifle event. This was also the first medal for India at the 2012 Olympics.

Narang secured the bronze with a total score of 701.1. In context, the silver-medallist Niccolo Campriani of Italy narrowly outplayed the Indian with a score of 701.5. Including Narang’s contributions, India collected a haul of four bronze and two silver medals.  

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