"Shooting is one of the powerhouses...": India's rifle shooters on Asian Games medal haul
Rudrankksh Patil and Tilotamma Sen celebrate medal wins at the Asian Games 2026 as shooting becomes India's most successful sport.
India's shooting contingent has emerged as a dominant force at the ongoing Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. As the competition progresses, the shooting discipline has become a primary driver of the nation's medal tally, contributing a staggering 11 medals out of India's current total of 37. This impressive haul includes one gold, six silver, and four bronze medals.
Rudrankksh Patil sets sights on Los Angeles 2028
Star shooter Rudrankksh Patil has been one of the standout performers of this edition. Reflecting on his success, Patil expressed his gratitude toward his family and the government for their support throughout his journey. While celebrating his recent achievements, he emphasized that his eyes are firmly fixed on the future.
"Shooting is one of the powerhouses for the country. The main goal is qualification for the Olympics next year," Patil stated, referring to his pursuit of a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Patil's performance in Japan has been prolific:
- Silver Medal: Men's 10m air rifle team event (alongside Parth Mane and Himanshu Dhillon).
- Silver Medal: Men's 50m rifle 3-position team event (with Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar).
- Bronze Medal: Men's 10m air rifle individual event.
This success follows his previous gold medal win in the 10m air rifle team event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Rising stars Tilotamma Sen and Vidarsha Vinod shine
The games also marked a successful debut for Tilotamma Sen. Competing in her first-ever Asian Games, Sen secured a silver medal in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event alongside Ashi Chouksey and Vidarsha Vinod. She dedicated her achievement to her parents and her coach, noting her excitement to celebrate the win with her family.
Similarly, Vidarsha Vinod enjoyed a dream debut, walking away with two medals. In addition to the silver in the 50m rifle 3 positions team event, she also earned a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event with teammates Elanevil Valarivan and Sonam Maskar. "I was not expecting anything, just focused on giving my best," Vinod remarked, dedicating her success to her coach, Manoj.
A consistent streak for Ashi Chouksey
Ashi Chouksey continued her impressive run on the international stage by securing another silver medal in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event. This follows her performance in the 2022 edition, where she also claimed silver medals in both the 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3 positions team events.
Chouksey highlighted the growing strength of Indian athletics, stating: "In the last few years, India has become a powerhouse in sports, and a lot of medals have come from shooting. It is a matter of pride for us that we are a part of this team."