Asian Games 2023: Indian Men's Air Rifle Team Sets World Record, Clinches Gold

NEW DELHI: India's Men's 10m Air Rifle Team delivered an unforgettable performance at the Asian Games 2023. Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar not only secured India's first gold medal of the tournament but also left an indelible mark on the record books by obliterating the world record in the process.

The journey to glory began with a sensational showing in the individual qualification round, where the Indian trio amassed a staggering total of 1893.7 points. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous world record, which had been set by China earlier in the year at the Baku World Championship. South Korea, valiant competitors, secured the second position with 1890.1 points, while China settled for the bronze with a total score of 1888.2.

The trio's individual contributions were nothing short of exceptional. Rudrankksh, who clinched the third spot in qualification, delivered a brilliant performance, accumulating 631.6 points for the team. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar matched this remarkable score, while Divyansh Singh Panwar contributed 629.6 points to India's triumphant tally.

This victory was not just about securing a gold medal in the team event; it marked a significant milestone for India. All three shooters from the Indian team not only secured a gold medal but also secured places in the top 8 in the fiercely competitive 10m Air Rifle event. However, due to Asian Games regulations allowing only two participants per country to advance to the final, Rudrankksh and Aishwary earned their spots, while Divyansh narrowly missed out.

The journey to gold did encounter a minor setback in the initial series, with Rudrankksh and Divyansh managing scores of 104.8 each, and Aishwary securing 104.1 points. However, their determination and resilience quickly came to the fore, as they steadily improved their scores in the subsequent series. By the time they reached the sixth series, the team had not only overcome the early hiccup but had also shattered the world record with an astonishing 1893.7 points.

This historic victory carried profound significance, as it marked India's first gold medal at the Asian Games 2023. It set the tone for the nation's performance at the games, with India concluding the inaugural day with a remarkable tally of five medals, comprising three silver medals and two bronze medals.

The women's 10m air rifle team, featuring Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ramita Jindal, also made their mark at Hangzhou 2023. They secured India's first medal at the event, a well-deserved silver in shooting, further solidifying India's presence and competitiveness on the international stage.

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