Samrat Rana Makes History with Gold in Men’s 10m Air Pistol at ISSF World Championships
Cairo, November 11, 2025 India’s Samrat Rana created history on Monday by winning the gold medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo. This incredible victory made him the first Indian ever to claim an individual world title in this event, marking a new milestone for Indian shooting. Competing in his first-ever senior World Championship, the 22-year-old displayed nerves of steel and outstanding skill. Rana finished with a total score of 243.7, narrowly defeating China’s Hu Kai by just 0.4 points. Fellow Indian shooter Varun Tomar clinched the bronze medal with a score of 221.7, giving India a memorable double podium finish. Overwhelmed with emotion after his win, Rana said, “I still can’t believe it. It was my first senior World Championships, and winning gold is unbelievable. I just focused on my technique, avoided looking at the screen, and trusted my process.” With this victory, Rana joined the elite list of Indian shooters who have won World Championship titles in Olympic disciplines, alongside Abhinav Bindra, Rudrankksh Patil, Tejaswini Sawant, and the mixed team pair Shiva Narwal and Esha Singh. The final was filled with intense drama. Rana started confidently, holding a slight 0.3-point lead after the first elimination round. However, halfway through, he slipped to third place with 181.2 points, trailing Tomar by just 0.2. Unfazed, Rana displayed remarkable composure in the final stages, firing two perfect 10.9 shots to reclaim the lead. As the competition came down to the final shot, Rana needed at least 10.3 to secure the gold. With immense focus, he delivered a 10.6, sealing his place in the history books and sparking celebration among Indian fans and teammates. While Rana’s performance stood out, the day also brought mixed results for other Indian shooters. Manu Bhaker, competing in the women’s 10m air pistol final, started strong and led midway through the event. However, an unfortunate 8.8 on her 14th shot pushed her down to seventh place. Esha Singh, another top contender, finished sixth after shooting 8.4 on her 16th attempt. In the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, Olympic medallist Swapnil Kusale failed to advance, scoring 575 in the elimination round. On a brighter note, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar, both scoring 592, moved ahead to the qualification stage. Samrat Rana’s triumph is being hailed as a defining moment for Indian shooting, symbolizing the rise of a new generation of athletes capable of delivering under pressure on the world stage. His calm precision, consistency, and composure have not only earned him a world title but also inspired young shooters across Samrat Rana Makes History with Gold in Men’s 10m Air Pistol at ISSF World Championships India’s Samrat Rana scripted history in Cairo by winning the men’s 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF World Championships, becoming the first Indian ever to win an individual world title in this event. Competing in his first senior championship, the 22-year-old displayed extraordinary composure to finish with a score of 243.7, edging past China’s Hu Kai by 0.4 points. India celebrated a double podium finish as Varun Tomar clinched the bronze with 221.7. Rana’s victory adds his name to an elite list of Indian shooters like Abhinav Bindra, Rudrankksh Patil, and Tejaswini Sawant who have claimed world titles in Olympic disciplines. Rana showed remarkable calm under pressure, regaining his lead in the final rounds with two perfect 10.9s and sealing the gold with a decisive 10.6 on his last shot. He credited his focus and technique for the win, saying he avoided distractions and trusted his process. The day brought mixed results for other Indian shooters, with Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh missing out on medals. Rana’s triumph marks a proud moment for Indian shooting and inspires a new generation of athletes.
