Naib Subedar Ravinder Singh, a 29-year-old ace shooter from the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU), Mhow, clinched a gold medal in the Men’s 50m Free Pistol event at the ISSF World Championships in Egypt, receiving a hero’s welcome upon his return to Bishnah.
Ravinder faced off against 47 top shooters from around the world, showcasing his remarkable skill and composure throughout the competition. He began the event with a modest score of 93 in his first series but quickly regained his focus. He followed this with scores of 98, 94, 95, 93, and concluded with a magnificent 96. His total of 569 points secured him first place, ahead of South Korea’s Kim Cheongyong (556) and Individual Neutral Athlete Anton Aristarkhov (556), who took silver and bronze, respectively.
This victory is particularly inspiring considering Ravinder’s recent challenges. He had spent over two weeks away from training due to the birth of his daughter, managing only 4–5 days of practice before the championship. His discipline and resilience truly culminated in this career-defining achievement.
In addition to his individual success, Ravinder’s performance played a crucial role in helping India secure a silver medal in the 50m Free Pistol team event. Teaming up with fellow shooters Kamaljeet (540) and Yogesh Kumar (537), they finished with a combined score of 1646 points, just two points behind South Korea, who won the gold.
This year alone, Ravinder had already earned a silver medal at the National Games, reinforcing his status as one of India’s leading shooters. Expressing his heartfelt gratitude following his victory, he stated, “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.”
Former MLA Ashwani Kumar Sharma praised Ravinder as a role model for the youth of Jammu, emphasizing the significance of his achievement in promoting sports in the region. The local community warmly celebrated their hero’s success, with hundreds of residents flooding the streets of Bishnah to honor his monumental win.
Ravinder Singh’s gold medal journey underscores the exceptional talent and dedication of Indian shooters on the global stage. His story also inspires many young athletes aspiring to follow in his footsteps, proving that with determination and the right support, one can achieve greatness.
