At the prestigious ISSF World Championships, India's Akhil Sheoran showcased exceptional skills in the men's rifle 3-position competition, clinching a bronze medal. This triumphant moment secured the nation's fifth shooting quota for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. Sheoran, having racked up a score of 450.0 in the intense eight-man final, placed third. In the qualifications, he demonstrated impressive form with an aggregate score of 585, settling for the sixth spot.
The competition saw Austria's Alexander Schmirl snatching gold with a score of 462.6, while Czech Republic's sharpshooter Petr Nymbursky followed closely, settling for silver with 459.2.
India's prowess in shooting was further highlighted when the women's team, comprising Rhythm Sangwan, Esha Singh, and Manu Bhaker, clinched gold in the 25m women's pistol category. They overcame Chinese Taipei with an aggregate score of 1744, pushing China to third place.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Sheoran stated, "This achievement holds immense significance for me. Earning both a medal and an Olympic quota at the World Championships, which takes place once in four years, is incredibly fulfilling."
Sheoran's journey to the finals was nothing short of intense. The elimination round witnessed 33 competitors being sidelined. While Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar posted commendable scores of 587 and 584 respectively, Sheoran began his ascent with an initial score of 579. He then advanced with a score of 585, underpinned by a stunning prone round.
Aishwary, missing the cut by just one point, finished at a noteworthy 13th place. Niraj Kumar's contribution helped the Indian team clinch the team gold in the event. Among the finalists were formidable shooters like Yu Hao of China and Ukraine's Serhiy Kulish, the latter known for defeating India's Abhinav Bindra at the Rio Olympics.
Sheoran's exceptional form was evident from the start, with his initial shot registering at 10.6. His spectacular performance in the prone position had him vying for the top spots, eventually placing second behind Schmirl.
The ISSF World Championships, a key qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics, offers 48 Olympic quotas across 12 Olympic individual shooting events. India's presence in the Olympics shooting arena is solidifying, with previously secured quotas by luminaries like Bhowneesh Mendiratta, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Swapnil Kusale, and Mehuli Ghosh.
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