In an awe-inspiring display of talent and grit, the Indian university team continued to shine at the Chengdu 2023 FISU World University Games, claiming four more medals in shooting. With this impressive haul, they have managed to maintain their well-deserved fourth position in the overall medal tally, amassing a remarkable total of 21 medals, including 11 gold, 4 silver, and 6 bronze.
The shooting sport events, held at the Chengdu Shooting Sport School in China, have been nothing short of sensational. With 18 gold medals up for grabs, the competition has been fierce and electrifying, drawing athletes from around the world to showcase their skills.
On Day four of the Games, it was the Indian University Team’s turn to shine in the 10m Air Pistol Team Men finals. The trio of Varun Tomar, Arjun Singh Cheema, and Anmol Jain clinched the bronze medal, showcasing their precision and accuracy. While Korea secured the gold, China settled for silver in the event, but it was the Indian team’s camaraderie and determination that truly won the hearts of the spectators.
The dominance of Indian shooters extended further to the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women event, where they achieved a clean sweep, securing both the gold and silver medals. Sift Kaur Samra and Ashi Chouksey showcased their prowess, outshining the host China’s Zeru Wang, who had to settle for the bronze.
In addition to the shooting achievements, the Indian University Team commenced their athletic journey at the Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium. The excitement was palpable as they showcased their mettle in various events. Shiksha showcased her prowess in Shot Put Women, securing a spot in the finals with a stunning performance of 14.4 metres.
Meanwhile, Bhavani Yadav Bagavathi qualified for the finals in the Long Jump Women event, while Dhivya Jayaraam showed her brilliance in the 400 meters Hurdles (Women), qualifying for the semi-finals with an impressive timing of 1:00.51. Avantika Santosh Narale also made her mark by securing a spot in the semifinals of the 100 meters Women Heats.
The Indian University Team has been firing on all cylinders across multiple sports at the World University Games. Notably, their prowess in Badminton has been impressive, with a resounding 5-0 win against Switzerland in the Mixed Team Group C Match 10. They continued their dominance in the Mixed Team quarterfinal, defeating Brazil with a convincing 3-0 victory.
With Wednesday’s events including Athletics, Badminton, Shooting, Swimming, Tennis, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, and Volleyball, the Indian athletes are geared up to make their nation proud with their exceptional performances.
The contingent of close to 230 Indian athletes has brought an air of excitement and anticipation to the Games. They are aiming to bring home a record number of medals for India at the FISU World University Games 2023 in Chengdu.
The multi-sport extravaganza has seen India surge forward, already surpassing their previous best performance at the Universiade during the 2015 Gwangju edition, where they clinched five medals, including one gold. This year’s team has been in stellar form, with shooters Manu Bhaker and Elavenil Valarivan setting the tone with their gold medal-winning performances in the women’s 10m air pistol and air rifle events, respectively.
As the games continue to unfold, India’s athletes are relentlessly pursuing their dreams, fueled by the nation’s unwavering support and enthusiasm.