Samrat Rana creates history, clinches India’s first-ever gold in 10m Air Pistol at ISSF World Champi

Samrat Rana, a 20-year-old shooter from Karanal, made history on Monday by becoming the first Indian world champion in the Olympic pistol discipline at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo. In addition to helping India win team gold, his outstanding performance raised the country's already rising reputation in shooting.

Rana maintained his cool and confidence during a fierce final in which the top three competed closely. He won by a slim margin over Hu Kai of China, who took second place with a score of 243.3. He finished with a score of 243.7.

His post-match reaction demonstrated how overwhelmed Rana was by his victory.

“I still can’t believe it. Cairo has always been special for me. I won two medals here at the Junior World Championships in 2022. I like the ambience and was just trying to focus on my technique with every shot towards the end," he said after the victory.

The lead between Rana, Hu Kai, and another Indian shooter, Varun Tomar, changed several times during the men's final. Tomar won the bronze with a score of 221.7, but Rana's composure helped him in the closing moments. At the World Championships, this was the first time two Indian shooters guaranteed a podium finish in the same event.

As an Indian, I couldn’t be prouder of Samrat Rana’s incredible achievement. I also want to highlight Varun Tomar’s remarkable performance, which added even more glory. It’s more than just a medal; it’s a message that Indian shooters are ready to dominate on the world stage. What impressed me most was not just his technical skill but his calm under pressure. In a sport where one breath can decide a medal, Rana showed what true focus looks like.

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