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Olympics 2024: India’s Best Male Athletes to Watch in Shooting

Sandeep Singh, a seasoned competitor, will be making his second Olympic appearance in Paris.

The Indian shooting team is gearing up for the 2024 Olympics in Paris with a 21-member strong contingent, the largest in the country’s Olympic history. This well-rounded squad features a mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers,all vying for a place on the podium. Here’s a closer look at the Indian male athletes to watch in the upcoming Games:

Rifle

  • Sandeep Singh (Men’s 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team): Singh, a seasoned competitor, will be making his second Olympic appearance in Paris. He secured his spot with a strong showing in national trials.Teaming up with ElavenilValarivan, he will also be part of the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event.
  • Arjun Babuta (Men’s 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team): Partnering with Sandeep Singh in the mixed team event, Babuta will be making his Olympic debut in Paris. He qualified for the individual 10m Air Rifle event based on his performance in national trials.
  • AishwaryPratap Singh Tomar (Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions): A two-time Olympian, Tomar returns to the Games with valuable experience. He will be aiming to improve on his performance in Tokyo, where he finished a commendable fourth in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
  • Swapnil Kusale (Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions):Kusale is a rising star in Indian shooting. He secured his Olympic berth with consistent performances in national trials and will be making his debut in Paris.

Swapnil Kusale (Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions) will be making his debut in Paris. // Picture Courtesy — Times of India

Pistol

  • Sarabjot Singh (Men’s 10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team): Singh, a former Asian Championship silver medalist, earned his place in the Indian team through his showing in national trials. He will participate in the individual 10m Air Pistol event and join forces with Manu Bhaker in the mixed team competition.
  • Arjun Singh Cheema (Men’s 10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team): Cheema will be making his Olympic debut in Paris. He qualified for the individual 10m Air Pistol event and will compete alongside Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team competition.
  • Anish Bhanwala (Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol):Bhanwala, a household name in Indian shooting, brings a wealth of experience to the Paris Games. He is a two-time World Championship medalist in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event and will be eyeing a strong performance on the Olympic stage.
  • Vijayveer Sidhu (Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol): Sidhu is a talented young shooter who secured his Olympic berth through national trials. He will be making his debut in Paris and will be looking to learn from his more experienced teammate, Anish Bhanwala.

Sarabjot Singh is a former Asian Championship silver medalist // Picture Courtesy — Sportstar

Shotgun

  • Anantjeet Singh Naruka (Men’s Skeet):Naruka, an Asian Games and Asian Championships silver medalist, will be the sole Indian representative in the Men’s Skeet event. He will be aiming to translate his regional success onto the Olympic stage.

This group of talented male shooters represents India’s strongest shooting contingent ever assembled for the Olympics.With a healthy mix of experience and youthful exuberance, the team has the potential to challenge for medals across several disciplines.

It’s important to note that some prominent names missed out on selection for the Paris Games. Two-time Olympian Mairaj Ahmad Khan and BhowneeshMendiratta, who secured India’s first quota place in the 2022 ISSF World Championships, were unable to find a spot on the final team.

The Indian shooting team will be looking to build upon its success from the Tokyo Olympics, where they had a decent showing. With a strong showing in Paris, they can further solidify India’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of shooting.