Haryana's rising shooting star, Ameerah Arshad, delivered a stellar performance to claim the top honour in the women's 10m air rifle event at the prestigious 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions. The event, currently underway at the MP State Shooting Academy range in Bhopal, witnessed intense competition among the nation's best markswomen.
A Dominant Victory on the Range
Representing her home state of Haryana, Ameerah Arshad showcased remarkable composure and skill. In the final, she shot a superb score of 252.0 points to secure the gold medal. Her performance was a clear testament to her training and focus, leaving a strong impression on the national shooting scene.
The battle for the other podium spots was equally fierce. The silver medal was captured by Maharashtra's talented shooter, Niveditha Veloor Nair. She put up a strong fight, finishing with a final score of 250.8 points. The bronze medal was claimed by another promising athlete, Shreya Saksena from the Air India team, who scored 229.8 points in the final.
Road to the Podium: The Qualification Round
The path to the finals was set by a challenging qualification round held earlier. Ameerah Arshad had already signaled her form by topping the qualification standings. She shot an impressive 632.2 points to lead the pack of 98 competitors into the medal round.
Niveditha Veloor Nair, the eventual silver medalist, qualified in second position with a score of 631.5 points. Shreya Saksena secured her spot in the final by qualifying in sixth place with a score of 628.7 points. The qualification round highlighted the depth of talent in Indian women's air rifle shooting, with the top eight shooters separated by only a few points.
Significance of the National Championship Win
This victory at the 68th National Shooting Championship is a significant milestone in Ameerah Arshad's young career. National championships are the primary platform for shooters to prove their mettle and often serve as a critical selection criterion for national teams and international assignments.
Winning a gold medal here places her among the top contenders in the country for her discipline. The performance of all the medalists underscores the healthy competition and rising standards in Indian shooting sports, which continues to be a consistent source of medals for the nation at major international events like the Asian Games and the Olympics.
The championship in Bhopal continues with more events, as shooters from across India compete for national glory and a chance to further their sporting careers.
