Indian shooters delivered podium finishes on February 11, 2026, at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in New Delhi, with Anish Bhanwala winning bronze in the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol and Babu Singh Panwar securing bronze in the 50m rifle prone event. The competitions, held at the Karni Singh Shooting Range, continued to showcase strong performances from the host nation across rifle and pistol categories.
Match Summary
The Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship featured multiple finals across 10m, 25m, and 50m disciplines, with February 11 marking key medal events for the Indian contingent. In the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol final, Anish Bhanwala advanced through qualification stages before finishing third to secure a bronze medal.
In the 50m rifle prone event, Babu Singh Panwar maintained scoring consistency across series to claim bronze. The prone discipline required precision over extended distances, with tight scoring margins separating medal positions.
Competitions in 10m air rifle and 10m air pistol categories either concluded or continued during the championship schedule, contributing to overall medal tallies and qualification implications within the continental structure.
Key Performances
Anish Bhanwala’s bronze in the 25m rapid fire pistol added to India’s medal count in a discipline that demands rapid target transition and consistent shot grouping within limited time windows. His performance through qualification rounds positioned him among the top finalists before securing third place.
Babu Singh Panwar’s result in the 50m rifle prone event reflected sustained shot stability across multiple series. The prone format emphasizes breath control, body alignment, and minimal deviation over extended sequences.
Across other rifle and pistol events, Indian shooters demonstrated competitive scoring averages in 10m disciplines, reinforcing the host nation’s depth across categories.
Turning Point of the Day
The decisive phase in the 25m rapid fire pistol final occurred during the elimination stages, where maintaining accuracy under time pressure determined medal standings. Bhanwala’s ability to stay within scoring thresholds in successive series enabled him to remain in podium contention.
In the 50m rifle prone event, cumulative scoring consistency over later series proved critical. Marginal differences between shot groups determined final placements, underscoring the technical precision required at elite level.
Full Results / Key Statistics
Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol
- Bronze: Anish Bhanwala (India)
50m Rifle Prone
- Bronze: Babu Singh Panwar (India)
Venue: Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi
Date: February 11, 2026
Event: Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026
Additional 10m rifle and pistol events contributed to the broader championship standings.
What This Means
The bronze medals strengthen India’s position in the overall medal table at the Asian Championship and contribute to continental ranking metrics. Performances at this level also influence qualification pathways and competitive seeding for future international events.
Strong results in rapid fire pistol and long-distance rifle disciplines indicate technical depth within India’s shooting program across both precision and speed-based formats.
What’s Next
The Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship continues with remaining finals and team events scheduled through the tournament window. Medal tallies and overall standings will be finalized at the conclusion of all rifle and pistol disciplines.
Indian shooters will aim to convert consistent qualification performances into additional podium finishes as the championship progresses.