India's Shooting Star Rises: Samrat Rana Wins Maiden World Championship Gold in Thrilling Finish
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In a stunning upset, 20-year-old Samrat Rana scripted history by claiming India's first-ever gold medal in the 10m air pistol at the World Championships. The Karnal (Haryana) shooter, competing in his maiden senior international final, outgunned Chinese sensation Hu Kai, the reigning champion, by a mere 0.4 points. Rana, who topped the qualification round, showed remarkable composure under pressure, pulling off a thrilling 10.6 in the final shot to seal the title. Hu, who had been undefeated in the men's 10m air pistol this season, shot a 10.8, but it was not enough to deny Rana the top spot. India's Paris Olympian Varun Tomar completed the medal sweep, finishing with a bronze medal with a score of 221.7 points. The double delight for India comes on the heels of the men's air pistol team winning the gold, with Rana, Tomar, and Shravan Kumar combining to score a total of 1754 points. Rana's remarkable journey to the top began just this year, when he finished 10th at the ISSF World Cup in Ningbo, China. He had previously won gold medals at the Junior World Championships in Cairo and the World University Shooting Championships in Delhi. Rana's success is a testament to the depth of Indian shooting, which has been on a roll in recent years. India now has nine medals, including four gold, at the World Championships, and is second on the overall medal tally behind China. The final was a closely contested affair, with some of the world's top pistol shooters, including Olympic and world champions, vying for the top spot. Rana's victory is a significant milestone for Indian shooting, and he has set the bar high for himself and his fellow shooters.
