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Sift Kaur Samra, India's rising star in 50m rifle 3 positions shooting, has secured her berth for the Paris Olympics after a remarkable performance at the Asian Games and World Cup. Her journey to the top has been marked by patience, resilience, and a carefree attitude.Last year, Samra made her mark at the Bhopal World Cup, winning her first senior individual medal. A year later, she emerged from the same venue as an Asian Games medalist, a world record holder, and an Olympic qualifier.Samra attributes her success to her improved patience. "I didn't have a lot of experience a year ago. My thinking was to just finish the matches. Now, I know how to handle aspects like wind and pressure," she said.Her patience was tested in the final qualification round of the Olympic trials. Despite not having a top finish to her name, Samra delivered her best round of 593, securing a top-two spot in the trials."I was a bit nervous at the start, but after the start, my confidence grew. My only thought was to correct the mistakes I had made in my previous matches and come back to the top," Samra said.Her breakthrough at the Asian Games, where she won individual gold and team silver, was followed by a silver at the Asian Championships. Her world record scores have shattered expectations."Why will I be surprised? I only started it. New generation, new techniques, new scores," Samra said when asked about her high scores.Her carefree attitude and ability to control pressure have been key factors in her success. "I do feel pressure, but controlling that pressure is what shooting is about," she said.Samra's patience has come with experience, not through traditional mental techniques. "I'm different from other people. I do nothing to help clear my mind — I watch movies, dance, talk to friends."With the pressure of Olympic qualification behind her, Samra is looking forward to shooting "for myself" at the Munich World Cup. She is confident in her ability to shoot well despite challenges like wind."When amid this strong breeze I could shoot 10s, it was a nice feeling. If I could manage such scores here, there (in Paris) it will be a bit easier," she said.Samra's journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to her talent, patience, and unwavering determination. She is a rising star in Indian shooting, and her future holds endless possibilities.

Anjum Moudgil, a seasoned Indian shooter, has overcome adversity to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event. After a tumultuous year marked by poor performances and missed opportunities, Moudgil has emerged stronger than ever, proving her resilience and determination.Moudgil's journey to redemption began with a string of impressive performances in 2022, including two World Cup medals and a No. 1 ranking in her discipline. However, a series of disappointing outings in 2023 left her feeling shattered and on the brink of despair."It was a very difficult time," Moudgil said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I felt like I had failed myself and everyone who believed in me."Undeterred, Moudgil resolved to rebuild her confidence and regain her form. She took a break from training and spent time alone in Budapest, focusing on the fundamentals of her sport."I had to go back to the basics and figure out what I was doing wrong," Moudgil explained. "I needed to find my own way back."With the support of her husband and fellow shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Moudgil gradually regained her composure and began to train with renewed vigor."Aish has been a great friend and mentor," Moudgil said. "He helped me believe in myself again."At the Olympic selection trials, Moudgil faced a tough challenge, but she rose to the occasion, finishing among the top two in all four rounds. Her performance earned her a spot alongside Sift Kaur Samra in the Indian team for Paris."I'm so grateful for this opportunity," Moudgil said. "I've worked so hard to get back to this point, and I'm determined to make the most of it."Moudgil's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams. Despite setbacks and disappointments, she has emerged as a stronger and more determined athlete, ready to represent India on the world's biggest stage.

Olympian Anjum Moudgil and Paris Olympic Games quota winner Swapnil Kusale emerged victorious in the women's and men's 50m rifle 3-positions events, respectively, at the ongoing Olympic Selection Trials (OST) in Bhopal on Thursday.In the men's 50m rifle 3P final, Kusale, who had finished second in the qualification round with a score of 587, shot 463.7 to secure the gold medal. Akhil Sheoran claimed the silver with 461.6, while local lad Aishwary Tomar took the bronze with 451.9.In the women's 3P final, Moudgil shot 463.9 to clinch the gold medal, leaving India No. 1 Sift Kaur Samra in second place with 462.0. Ashi Chouksey finished third with 447.3 points.The OST also witnessed the qualification rounds for other events. In women's 10m air pistol OST T3 qualification, Olympian Manu Bhaker topped the standings with a score of 577, followed by Palak (576), Esha Singh (576), Surbhi Rao (574), and Rhythm Sangwan (573).In men's 10m air pistol OST T3 qualification, Arjun Singh Cheema finished first with 583 points, ahead of Ravinder Singh (581), Sarabjot Singh (581), Naveen (579), and Varun Tomar (577).In women's 10m air rifle OST T3 qualification, Elavenil Valarivan emerged as the top qualifier with 634.4 points, followed by Tilottama Sen (632.4), Ramita (630.8), Nancy (629.4), and Mehuli Ghosh (628.4).In men's 10m air rifle OST T3 qualification, Arjun Babuta finished first with 632.2 points, ahead of Rudrankksh Patil (632.0), Sandeep Singh (631.6), Divyansh Singh Panwar (631.4), and Sri Karthik Sabari Raj (630.5).The Olympic Selection Trials will continue with further events in the coming days, with the top performers aiming to secure their places in the Indian shooting contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Olympian Manu Bhaker and Paris quota winner Vijayveer Sidhu emerged victorious in the fourth and final Olympic Selection Trial (OST) for 25m pistol events in Bhopal on Tuesday.Manu, under the guidance of legendary pistol shooter Jaspal Rana, showcased her dominance by equaling the world record with a score of 42 in the women's 25m Pistol OST T4 final. Vijayveer, on the other hand, secured a score of 34 in the decider of the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol OST T4 to claim victory.Manu's consistent performance throughout the trials was evident as she won two and finished second in the other two. She was the only shooter among the selected five to maintain a score above 580 in the qualification round. Abhidnya Patil (35) and Simranpreet Kaur Brar (30) secured the second and third podium positions, respectively.In the men's rapid fire event, Vijayveer took an early lead and maintained it until the final series to register his first outright victory in the trials. Anish Bhanwala (30) and Adarsh Singh (25) finished second and third, respectively. Anish, however, emerged as the most successful shooter in the event, having won two trials and finished second in the other two.The qualification rounds for the men's and women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions event will take place on Wednesday, with local hopes Aishwary Tomar and Ashi Chouksey set to participate.

Indian Shooters Gear Up for Paris Olympic Trials in BhopalThe Indian shooting contingent is set to resume their quest for Olympic glory as the third and fourth Olympic Selection Trials (OST) commence in Bhopal on Saturday. With 16 Paris quota places secured in pistol and rifle events, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is conducting trials among the top five shooters in each event to determine the squad for the Games.In shooting, Olympic quotas are earned for the country, but individual shooters must prove their worth in selection trials to secure their berths in Paris. The top two shooters in each event, based on the average of their best three trial scores out of four, will represent India at the Olympics.The first two trials were held in New Delhi last month, and the MP State Shooting Academy in Bhopal will host the remaining trials over the next nine days. The opening day will feature the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol and women's 25m pistol T3 qualification rounds, with the finals scheduled for Sunday.A total of 16 matches across eight Olympic rifle and pistol individual events will be held, culminating in the men's and women's 10m air rifle T4 finals on May 19. Three women shooters, Olympian Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Rhythm Sangwan, are vying for multiple events, including the 25m sport pistol and 10m air pistol.Among the favorites in the men's rapid-fire pistol event are Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu, who hold quota places and have performed well in the first two trials. In the 25m sport pistol, Manu and Esha have emerged as strong contenders after the initial trials.Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Ashi Chouksey will renew their rivalry for Olympic spots in the men's and women's 50m rifle 3 positions, respectively.The trials will be a crucial test for the Indian shooters as they aim to secure their places in the Paris Olympic squad. With the competition expected to be intense, the top performers will have the opportunity to represent their country on the world's biggest sporting stage.

Maheshwari Chauhan, a rising star in Indian shooting, has secured India's 21st quota place for the upcoming Paris Olympics. On the concluding day of the ISSF Final Olympic Qualification Championship Shotgun in Doha, Chauhan clinched a silver medal in the women's skeet event, earning her a coveted spot at the prestigious sporting spectacle.Chauhan's journey to the Olympics has been marked by unwavering determination and relentless hard work. Competing in her maiden ISSF Final, she displayed nerves of steel and exceptional marksmanship. In the 60-shot final, she tied with Chile's Francisca Crovetto Chadid at 54 hits, forcing a shoot-off for the gold medal.Despite a valiant effort, Chauhan narrowly missed out on the top prize, losing 3-4 to Chadid. However, her silver medal performance was enough to secure India's second Paris quota place in the women's skeet event."I am thrilled. There has been a lot of hard work over the years to get here. I am a bit bummed about the shoot-off, but overall, it has been very satisfying," said Chauhan after the final.Chauhan's triumph is a testament to her unwavering dedication and the support she has received from her coaches and the Indian shooting fraternity. Her achievement is a source of pride for the nation and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring shooters.

Asian Games champion Sift Kaur Samra and in-form Niraj Kumar emerged victorious in the first leg of the Olympic Selection Trials in the 50m 3 Position (3P) event at the Karni Singh Shooting Range.Sift, who placed second in the qualification round, showcased her prowess in the final, particularly in the prone round, where she gained a significant lead. Despite Ashi Chouksey's strong performance in the kneeling round, Sift's consistency and resilience in the prone and standing segments secured her the top spot with a cumulative score of 466.3 points.In the men's competition, Niraj Kumar outperformed overnight leader and quota holder Swapnil Kusale, who finished second. Niraj's consistent performance throughout the kneeling, prone, and standing stages, including a crucial recovery in the standing series, earned him the victory with a score of 462.2 points.The qualification rounds for the 10m air rifle and pistol events also took place on Wednesday. Sandeep Singh and Tilottama Sen emerged as the top performers in the men's and women's 10m rifle events, respectively. In the 10m air pistol, Paris quota holder Varun Tomar led the men's field, while Rhythm Sangwan topped the women's category.

Manu Bhaker, the Indian shooting prodigy, showcased her exceptional skills at the Women's 25m Pistol Qualification of the Olympics Selection (OST) Trials 1 in New Delhi, eclipsing the world record score by a remarkable six points. Her precision and consistency were evident throughout the competition, as she topped the qualification round with an impressive performance.Bhaker's dominance was evident in the final, where she displayed unwavering focus and accuracy. Her scores in the 10 series of five rapid-fire shots were a testament to her exceptional technique: 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5, and 5. This remarkable performance earned her a clear lead over her competitors.While Esha Singh was eliminated in the seventh series, Bhaker had already established a significant lead of six points over Rhythm Sangwan and Abhidnya Patil, who were tied at that stage. Despite Singh's strong performance in qualifying, Bhaker's superior performance in the final secured her the top spot.In the Men's 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol event, Anish Bhanwala emerged victorious, demonstrating his mastery of the discipline. He finished with 33 hits, a clear six ahead of Vijayveer Sidhu, who placed second. Adarsh Singh secured the third spot with 23 hits.Bhavesh Shekhawat, who had topped the qualifications, finished fourth with 18 hits, while Ankur Goel was the first to exit with 10 hits.Bhaker's world record-breaking performance and Bhanwala's triumph in the Men's 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol event highlight the exceptional talent and determination of India's shooting contingent. As they prepare for the upcoming Olympics, these athletes are poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.

Legendary marksman Jaspal Rana has raised concerns over the delay in naming the Indian shooting contingent for the Paris Olympics, expressing that it leaves little time for final preparations. While several countries have already announced their squads and are in the final stages of training, India has commenced a month-long trial process.The top-five ranked shooters in pistol and rifle categories will undergo four trials, with the selection for Paris to be made after that. However, this leaves precious little time for the last phase of training, as the Olympics commence on July 26.Rana criticized the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for not announcing the squad in shotgun events, despite the trials being completed. He believes that this delay puts pressure on shooters who have won quota places, while those who have not have less pressure.Rana also criticized the ongoing trials at the Karni Singh Ranges, saying he had never seen a competition where only five shooters per event were short-listed. He believes that at least three more shooters should have been included to complete the minimum requirements in a competition.He also expressed concerns about the number of trials, saying that it was too much and gave little time for rest and recovery. In the case of Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh, they will have to appear in eight trials, putting added pressure on their physical and mental well-being.Rana believes that the federation could have used some of the scores in national and international competitions as trial scores, reducing the number of trials required. He also emphasized that shooters should be ready for anything, but that the current situation is not ideal for de-stressing.