India has crossed the 50-medal mark at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship with a strong performance by Olympians Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta. The duo won gold in the 10m Air Rifle mixed team event, pushing India’s tally to 52 medals as of February 10, 2026. This victory highlights India’s rising dominance in shooting sports ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
The championship, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, features top Asian shooters competing in rifle and pistol events. Elavenil and Arjun topped the mixed team final with a score of 502.7, beating the silver medalists from China by a narrow 1.1-point margin. Their win came after qualifying scores of 633.4, showcasing precision under pressure. Elavenil, a former world champion, and Arjun, a Paris 2024 Olympian, combined experience with youth to secure the gold.
India now leads the medal standings with 18 gold, 20 silver, and 14 bronze medals. Other stars like Esha Singh (multiple golds in pistol) and Chain Singh (rifle events) contributed heavily. This surge past 50 medals marks a record for India at this prestigious ISSF event, which qualifies athletes for international quotas.
The success comes from targeted training at facilities like Karni Singh Range in Delhi. Coaches praise the duo’s mental toughness—Elavenil’s steady aim and Arjun’s quick recovery from early wobbles. This gold boosts India’s Olympic prep, with direct Paris 2024 learnings applied here. Shooting Federation of India president Kalikambatty Nambiar called it a “game-changer” for funding and talent scouting.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. Who won gold in 10m Air Rifle mixed team?
Olympians Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta won gold with 502.7 points, edging out China in the final at Jakarta Championship.
2. What’s India’s total medal count?
India surged to 52 medals—18 gold, 20 silver, 14 bronze—leading the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship standings.
3. Where and when was the event?
The championship is in Jakarta, Indonesia, ongoing in February 2026, serving as key Olympic qualifier.