Naib Subedar Ravinder Singh, a talented 29-year-old shooter from Jammu, made headlines when he clinched a gold medal in the Men’s 50m Free Pistol event at the ISSF World Championships. The championship took place at the Egypt International Olympic City Range and featured the world’s elite shooters.
Competing against 47 top shooters, Ravinder displayed incredible skill and poise. Despite starting with a modest score of 93 in his first series, he executed a remarkable comeback with impressive subsequent scores of 98, 94, 95, 93, and a final series score of 96. His total of 569 points outperformed South Korea’s Kim Cheongyong (556) and Individual Neutral Athlete Anton Aristarkhov (556), securing silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Ravinder’s victory is particularly noteworthy as he had been away from rigorous training for over two weeks due to the birth of his daughter. He managed to squeeze in only 4–5 days of practice before heading into the prestigious competition, highlighting his discipline, focus, and mental resilience.
Moreover, Ravinder’s individual performance also contributed to India’s success in the 50m Free Pistol team event, where the team earned a silver medal. Along with his teammates Kamaljeet, who scored 540, and Yogesh Kumar with 537, they finished with a total of 1646 points, just two points shy of South Korea’s gold-winning score.
Earlier this year, Ravinder also earned a silver medal at the National Games, further cementing his status as a rising star in Indian shooting. Expressing his gratitude, he said, “It’s not my personal achievement but for all those who stood behind me. I am thankful to my family and the Army for their support.”
Upon returning to his hometown of Bishnah, Ravinder received a hero’s welcome. Crowds gathered to celebrate his remarkable achievement, with residents taking to the streets in jubilation. Former MLA Ashwani Kumar Sharma praised Ravinder’s accomplishment and called him a role model for the youth. His achievement inspires many aspiring athletes across the country.
Ravinder Singh’s gold medal at the ISSF World Championships underscores the potential of Indian shooters on the global stage. His journey from a small town to international recognition serves as a beacon of hope for future generations. As India continues to invest in sports development, talents like Ravinder emerge to showcase the country’s growing dominance in shooting sports.
