Samrat Rana wins 10m air pistol world title

Young Indian shooter Samrat Rana, 20, captured men’s 10m air pistol gold at the ISSF World Championships in Cairo, becoming India’s first pistol world champion in an Olympic discipline. He also led India to the team gold in the event, capping a landmark day for Indian shooting.

Historic ISSF breakthrough

Rana’s win ends India’s wait for an individual pistol world crown in an Olympic event. It arrived at a championships where India surged up the medals table, with multiple podiums across events.

How the final unfolded

In a tense duel, Rana posted 243.7 to edge China’s Hu Kai by 0.4 points (243.3). Varun Tomar secured bronze with 221.7 after a gripping shootout phase. Reports noted pressure-shot responses from both finalists in the closing series, underscoring Rana’s composure.

India’s team gold and qualification dominance

India clinched men’s team gold through Rana (586), Tomar (586) and Shravan Kumar (582) for a 1754 aggregate, finishing ahead of Italy and Germany. In qualification, Rana topped the list on inner-10s (27) over Tomar (26), signalling control before the medal match.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Rana’s 243.7 is a world-title winning score in the Olympic 10m air pistol event; Hu Kai took silver on 243.3.
• Varun Tomar won bronze (221.7), marking the first time two Indians medalled in the same Worlds pistol event.
• India’s men (Rana, Tomar, Shravan) totalled 1754 for team gold in 10m air pistol.
• Rana and Tomar both shot 586 in qualification; Rana led on 27 inner-10s to Tomar’s 26.

Profile and pathway

Hailing from Karnal, Rana trained under his father and rose swiftly through junior ranks, converting promise to senior gold at the same venue where he had earlier tasted junior success. The Cairo triumph snapped Hu Kai’s winning run and showcased India’s deep pistol bench heading into the next cycle.