The ongoing 16th Asian Shooting Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun being held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, brought proud moments for India as young shooter Kapil Bansla clinched a historic gold medal. The
The ongoing 16th Asian Shooting Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun being held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, brought proud moments for India as young shooter Kapil Bansla clinched a historic gold medal. The Haryana-based shooter’s brilliant performance in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Junior Final earned India its first gold medal of the tournament on Monday.
In the tense and thrilling 10m Air Pistol Junior Men’s Final, Kapil Bansla displayed nerves of steel and remarkable shooting accuracy. He recorded a score of 243.0, which helped him secure the top spot. His closest competitor, Ilkhombek Obidjonov from Uzbekistan, finished in second place after falling short by just 0.6 points. Meanwhile, Jonathan Gavin Anthony from Karnataka, India, grabbed the bronze medal with a score of 220.7 points, ensuring two Indian shooters stood on the podium.
The final was a gripping contest. At the beginning, Obidjonov from Uzbekistan took the early lead and looked in commanding form. Kapil Bansla closely followed him, waiting for the right moment to surpass his rival. By the 15th shot, Bansla overtook Obidjonov for the first time, sparking excitement in the Indian camp. However, Obidjonov bounced back and regained the lead after the 20th shot, putting extra pressure on the Indian shooter.
Just before the last two shots, Obidjonov held a narrow one-point lead over Bansla. But it was the final moments that turned the tables dramatically. Kapil Bansla fired back-to-back stunning shots of 10.8 and 10.6, showcasing absolute precision and focus. In contrast, Obidjonov faltered with scores of 10.4 on the 23rd shot and just 9.4 on the last shot, which cost him the gold. This slip proved decisive as Bansla sealed the victory and proudly lifted the Indian flag high at the Asian Shooting Championship.
India’s performance was notable not just because of the gold medal but also because three Indian shooters made it into the final round. Apart from Kapil Bansla and Jonathan Gavin Anthony, Mukesh Nelawli also qualified for the final. In the qualification round, Bansla had finished fourth with a score of 579 points, while Jonathan Gavin Anthony secured the second position with 582 points. Mukesh Nelawli was placed third in the qualification round, highlighting India’s depth of talent in shooting.
The qualification round was topped by Kim Duyon of Korea, who scored 582 points, securing the first position. However, the final told a different story, with Kapil Bansla rising to the occasion and ensuring India’s dominance in the junior category.
Apart from his individual brilliance, Bansla also played a crucial role in the team event. Teaming up with Jonathan Gavin Anthony and Vijay Tomar, the Indian trio scored a combined total of 1723 points, which secured them the silver medal in the junior men’s team event.
The gold medal in the team category went to Korea, who amassed 1734 points, narrowly edging out India. The host nation, Kazakhstan, settled for the bronze medal in the team event. The team silver, along with Bansla’s gold, marked a highly successful day for India at the Asian Shooting Championship.
In the Senior Men’s 10m Air Pistol Final, India was represented by Anmol Jain, the only Indian shooter to make it into the final. Anmol managed a score of 155.1 points, which placed him in the sixth position. The gold medal in this category went to Hu Kai of China, who displayed top-class shooting and remarkable consistency. Hu Kai also contributed to China’s gold medal victory in the team event, proving China’s dominance at the senior level.
Even though Anmol could not secure an individual medal, he combined forces with Aditya Malra and Saurabh Chaudhary to clinch a silver medal in the team event with a total score of 1735 points. Once again, it was China that grabbed the gold medal in the senior team category, continuing their strong run at the championship.
The Asian Shooting Championship 2025 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, has already started on a high note for India. Kapil Bansla’s gold in the junior category and the team silvers won by both the junior men and the senior men’s teams highlight the country’s promising talent pool.
India has long been a powerhouse in shooting, producing world-class shooters like Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, and Saurabh Chaudhary. The emergence of young shooters like Kapil Bansla further cements India’s reputation as one of the top shooting nations in Asia.
The victory is also significant because it came in a tense, high-pressure situation. Kapil’s ability to hold his nerves and produce his best shots in the final two attempts reflects his maturity and mental toughness—qualities essential for success at the highest level, including world championships and the Olympics.
The Asian Shooting Championship is far from over. The tournament will continue with multiple events, including the women’s and junior women’s air pistol finals, which are scheduled for Tuesday. Indian shooters are expected to put up strong performances in these categories as well.
Given India’s strong start, there is hope for more medals in the coming days. The focus will now be on maintaining momentum and ensuring that the team can continue to deliver consistently across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events.
The Asian Shooting Championship is not only a prestigious event but also a crucial platform for Asian countries to showcase their shooting talent. For many shooters, it serves as a stepping stone to global competitions such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games. Winning here adds confidence, experience, and recognition.
For India, every medal counts, as it boosts the morale of the shooting fraternity and inspires young aspirants to take up the sport. The gold medal by Kapil Bansla has already become a headline moment for the Indian contingent, motivating others to aim for similar success.
The second day of the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, brought joy and pride to India. Kapil Bansla’s gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Junior Final stood out as a shining achievement, while additional medals in team events underlined India’s collective strength.
As the championship progresses, all eyes will be on the Indian shooters to continue their winning streak. With the women’s events lined up and more finals ahead, India looks set to add to its medal tally. For now, Kapil Bansla’s golden triumph will be remembered as one of the most inspiring moments of the tournament.
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Haryana’s Kapil Bansla won India’s first gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s Junior Final.
The championship is taking place in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
Kapil Bansla scored 243.0 points in the final to secure the gold medal.
Silver: Ilkhombek Obidjonov (Uzbekistan)
Bronze: Jonathan Gavin Anthony (India)
In the Junior Men’s Team Event, India won silver with 1723 points, behind Korea (1734 points), while Kazakhstan won the bronze.
