Golden Moments at the National Shooting Championship 2025
The 68th National Shooting Championship, held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, witnessed a spectacular display of shooting skills. Two young talents, Neeru Dhanda and Aryavansh Tyagi, emerged as the stars of the event, winning gold medals in the trap events.
Women's Trap: Neeru Dhanda's Triumph
Madhya Pradesh's Neeru Dhanda clinched the women's trap gold medal with a composed performance, scoring 41 hits in the final. Kirti Gupta from Delhi took the silver medal with 40, while Neeru's teammate, Pragati Dubey, claimed the bronze with 32 hits.
Qualification Round
In the qualification round, Pragati Dubey topped the field with 117, followed by Neeru Dhanda on 114 and Rajeshwari Kumari on 113. The top six spots were decided on shoot-off scores, with Addya Katyal from Delhi qualifying fourth, Preeti Rajak fifth, and Kirti Gupta sixth.
Finals
In the finals, Addya Katyal finished fourth with 27, followed by Preeti Rajak with 21, and Punjab's Olympian Rajeshwari Kumari, who finished sixth with 17 hits.
Junior Men's Trap: Aryavansh Tyagi's Victory
Aryavansh Tyagi, a rising star from Uttar Pradesh, won the junior men's trap gold medal with an impressive finish of 42 hits. Keshav Chauhan from Punjab took the silver medal with 37, while Zuhair Khan from Uttar Pradesh claimed the bronze with 30.
Qualification Round
In the qualification round, Zuhair Khan dominated with a score of 120, followed by Aryavansh Tyagi and Arjun with 118. Keshav Chauhan qualified fourth with 113, and Manitwa Singh Rawat fifth with 112.
Finals
In the finals, Manitwal Singh Rawat finished fourth with 27, while Arjun of Haryana finished sixth with 14 hits.
Implications for North East India and India at Large
These victories by Neeru Dhanda and Aryavansh Tyagi underscore the growing talent pool in Indian shooting. As the country gears up for international competitions, including the upcoming Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics, the performances of these young athletes will be crucial in maintaining India's competitive edge.
For the North East region, these victories serve as a source of inspiration for budding shooters. The region has a rich tradition in shooting, with several athletes representing India in international competitions. The success of Neeru Dhanda and Aryavansh Tyagi could encourage more young shooters from the region to take up the sport and strive for excellence.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on the National Shooting Championship 2025, the focus now shifts to the upcoming state and national competitions. The performances of Neeru Dhanda, Aryavansh Tyagi, and their fellow athletes will be closely watched as they continue their journey towards international success.