Chandigarh shooter Prateek, a student of Chitkara University, secured a silver medal in the 50m Pistol Men Junior Team event at the ISSF Junior World Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun Championship held in Suhl, Germany. Competing alongside Kumar Yogesh and Abhinav Choudhary, the Indian team posted a combined score of 1610-15x, finishing second behind an individual neutral shooter team. Ukraine claimed the bronze medal.
Team performance and medal tally
The Indian trio's silver contributed to a dominant performance by the country at the championship. According to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), India finished first in the medal standings with a total of 24 medals, comprising seven gold, eight silver, and nine bronze medals. This achievement underscores India's growing prowess in junior shooting sports on the global stage.
Prateek, a third-year BBA student, has brought laurels to his university and the city of Chandigarh. The event featured top junior shooters from around the world, and the Indian team's consistent performance across multiple disciplines led to their top ranking.
Impact on Indian shooting
The silver medal win is a significant milestone for Prateek, who has been training rigorously under the guidance of his coaches. The NRAI has been instrumental in supporting young talent, and this result reflects the effectiveness of their development programs. With the 2026 championship concluded, the focus now shifts to nurturing these athletes for future international competitions, including senior-level events.
