The National Shooting Trials at the Dr. Karni Singh Range in Tughlakabad witnessed a historic upset on Friday as Meenu Pathak stunned Suruchi Phogat in the women’s air pistol event. With a formidable final score of 243.1, Meenu edged past Suruchi by 1.7 points, marking one of the most significant victories in recent Indian shooting history.
A Stunning Turnaround
Meenu Pathak, who had qualified with a modest 576, showcased remarkable composure and precision in the final, turning the tables on Suruchi Phogat, who had earlier topped the qualification round with an impressive 582.
Suruchi, widely regarded as a dominant force in Indian shooting, had recently claimed triple gold medals in the women’s junior and youth categories at the National Championships. Adding to her string of accolades, she had also triumphed in the National Games and the first trial. However, on this occasion, Meenu outshined her with a stellar performance, clinching victory in the final round.
Tough Competition and Top Performers
The event saw an array of seasoned and emerging shooters vying for top honors. Esha Singh, who had earlier won four medals in the Asian Games, secured the third position, while Sainyam finished in fourth place.
Meanwhile, Surbhi Rao, the qualification topper with 585, faced an unexpected dip in form during the final, failing to convert her advantage into a podium finish. Also featuring in the final were renowned shooters Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan, and Sakshi Suryavanshi, all of whom put up a commendable fight.
Asian Games gold medallist Palak Gulia shot 574 but narrowly missed out on a place in the final due to a lower number of inner-10s compared to Esha Singh.
Varun Tomar Dominates Men’s Section
The men’s air pistol event was equally intense, with Varun Tomar reaffirming his prowess by defeating Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh by 1.9 points in the final.
Varun had a challenging path to the final, qualifying with a score of 580. He had to battle it out with three other shooters on the same score, ultimately securing the last spot in the final due to his superior 26x inner-10s tally.
Thrilling Contest Among Elite Marksmen
The men’s category saw an elite field of competitors, including Olympic finalist and World Junior Champion Saurabh Chaudhary, who climbed to third place after scoring 583 in qualification.
Aditya Malra, who topped the qualification round with 585, was among the strong contenders, but the final saw the experienced marksmen outclassing some of the younger competitors.
Other notable participants in the men’s final included Anmol Jain, Karan Sehrawat, Deepak Nagal, and Subhash Sihag, all of whom showcased remarkable skill and determination in their performances.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Indian Shooting
The results from the National Trials serve as a crucial indicator of India’s potential medal prospects in upcoming international competitions, including the Paris Olympics 2024 and the World Championships.
For Meenu Pathak, this victory is a defining moment, establishing her as a strong competitor in women’s air pistol shooting. The dramatic outcome also signals a competitive shake-up in the national rankings, with younger shooters now challenging the dominance of experienced marksmen.
Similarly, in the men’s section, Varun Tomar’s win reinforces his growing stature in Indian shooting, positioning him as one of the country’s brightest prospects in the discipline. The strong performances from Sarabjot Singh and Saurabh Chaudhary further emphasize the depth of talent in India’s shooting contingent.
Conclusion
The National Shooting Trials at the Dr. Karni Singh Range provided a gripping display of talent, resilience, and unexpected outcomes. Meenu Pathak’s stunning victory over Suruchi Phogat and Varun Tomar’s dominant performance in the men’s category set the stage for an exciting season in Indian shooting. With crucial international events on the horizon, the competition among India’s top shooters is expected to intensify, promising more thrilling contests in the months ahead.
