Shymkent :Paris Olympian Anantjeet Singh Naruka clinched a thrilling gold medal in the men’s skeet event at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. In a nail-biting final, Naruka edged out defending champion Mansour Al Rashidi of Kuwait by a single target, finishing with a score of 57-56.
Naruka, who narrowly missed an Olympic medal in the mixed skeet event at the Paris 2024 Games, showcased remarkable composure under pressure. He fired an outstanding 29 out of his first 30 targets in the final and maintained a slender lead over his competitor throughout the tense match, eventually securing India’s first individual skeet gold at this championship.
This victory is particularly sweet for Naruka, who had won a silver medal in the previous Asian Championship and a World Cup Final silver last year in Delhi. His performance highlights India’s rising presence in the traditionally Middle Eastern-dominated shotgun discipline in Asia.
Naruka’s triumph contributed to India’s strong overall performance, helping the country top the medal table with a total of 19 medals, including nine golds. Other notable achievements included a bronze in the women’s skeet team and the mixed air pistol team events.
Speaking on his win, Naruka remarked on the challenging weather conditions, “The wind was rough today, but winning this gold was special.” His achievement marks a significant milestone, inspiring Indian shooters as they aim to build on their successes at major international events.
Naruka’s persistence and skill have not only ended India’s skeet gold drought at the Asian level but also positioned him as one of the top contenders in the sport going forward.
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