Poonam Nath

History scripted by India’s Samrat Rana; becomes first world champion in 10m air pistol

Digital Desk: At the ISSF World Championships in Cairo on Monday, 20-year-old Karnal shooter Samrat Rana made history by becoming the first Indian to win a world championship in an Olympic pistol discipline. India's rising prominence in international shooting was further cemented when Rana's outstanding performance in the men's 10m air pistol event earned the team gold.

In a tense final, Rana maintained composure to win with a score of 243.7, just missing out on Hu Kai of China, who finished with 243.3. Following his triumph, Rana remarked, "I still can't believe it.”

Tomar won the bronze with a score of 221.7, but Rana's poise in the closing moments was crucial. For the first time at the World Championships, two Indian shooters shared the podium in the same event.

With a total of 1754 points, the combined efforts of Rana (586), Tomar (586), and Shravan Kumar (582), secured India's team gold. Germany won bronze, and Italy came in second. Additionally, Shravan finished 12th in the individual rankings, demonstrating the depth of India's pistol shooting lineup.

India now sits third in the overall medal standings, only surpassed by China, who have six golds.