Report : National Shooting Championship to have record 6000 participants

The event would be commenced with the rifle events that include 10m air, 50m prone and 3P events for the women, junior and youth categories, which would be followed by the mixed air rifle events. This is the second successive time that the shooting range at Vattiyoorkkavu hosting the event and the fourth time it is hosting the national event since 2015.

Organizing an event this huge would surely be a challenge but the director of competitions, Sunny Thomas revealed it was possible after they decided to do away with the wild card system and keeping the upcoming international meets in mind. 

“Unlike the last edition, we have done away with wildcards this time. Moreover, the shooters will be informed of their event schedule including time, lane beforehand. This is in line with international meets,” he told TOI.

Among the Indian stalwarts, Bengal’s Mehuli Ghosh will be participating after she had won 11 medals including eight gold medals and will be hoping to extend her form. While CWG gold medalist Apurvi Chandela wouldn’t be participating the competition, the likes of Manu Bhaker (women’s in 10m & 25m events) and Anish Bhanwala in men’s 25m rapid fire would be the big presence.

Bhaker had won a whopping 11 gold medals last year in the competition before she went on to become the youngest to win a gold at the World Cup and in Gold Coast CWG.