In a heart-pounding showdown that sent shockwaves through the shooting world, the Indian trio of Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Singh Cheema, and Shiva Narwal etched their names in Asian Games history books as they clinched the gold medal in the 10m air pistol team event. The Indian team narrowly edged out the formidable Chinese team by a mere single point.
The scene unfolded on Thursday at the 19th Asian Games, and the roaring crowd in Hangzhou bore witness to this exhilarating spectacle.
This triumph marked India’s sixth gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games, with an impressive tally of four coming from the domain of shooting. This is a testament to the nation’s growing dominance in this precision sport.
In the nail-biting men’s 10m air pistol individual qualification rounds, both Sarabjot and Arjun displayed exceptional skill and composure, securing their spots among the top 8 contenders.
Sarabjot notched up an impressive score of 580, securing the fifth position, while Arjun’s score of 578 placed him at the eighth spot. The tension was palpable as India’s cumulative score of 1734 narrowly edged out China’s total by a solitary point, foreshadowing the dramatic showdown to follow.
Sarabjot Singh embarked on his day with a humble start, with two series yielding 95 points each, initially finding himself lower in the rankings. However, in a spectacular display of resilience and determination, he rallied back, delivering consecutive series of 97-98-97-98 that propelled him up the leader board.
Meanwhile, Arjun Singh Cheema maintained his consistent performance, consistently hovering around the top 8 positions before sneaking into the finals, thanks to his superior X shots count over his nearest rival.
Adding to the momentous occasion, Shiva Narwal played a crucial role by shooting a total of 576, making a remarkable recovery from a somewhat shaky start with a first series of 92. Notably, just a few hours prior to this heroic feat, his elder brother Manish Narwal had also etched his name in the annals of shooting history, clinching a gold medal in the Shooting Para World Championships in Lima, Peru. The Tokyo Paralympics champion secured gold in the P1-Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 category, proving that shooting prowess truly runs in the Narwal family.
In this thrilling display of marksmanship, the Indian contingent emerged victorious, securing the coveted gold medal by a single point, symbolising the spirit, dedication and precision of the athletes. With each trigger pull and every precise shot, they showcased not only their remarkable skills but also the sheer resilience of the human spirit.
As the Indian flag soared high above the podium, the nation revelled in the glory of another remarkable achievement on the global sporting stage. The Indian shooting team’s triumph serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and underscores the importance of determination in the pursuit of excellence. With a display of skill, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of victory, India’s shooters continue to shine bright on the world stage, reminding us all of the magic that sports can bring to our lives.