Dehradun, Feb 3 (PTI): Bengaluru’s 15-year-old shooting prodigy Jonathan Antony delivered a stunning performance on the biggest domestic stage, outclassing Paris Olympics bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh and the highly regarded Saurabh Chaudhary to win the 10m air pistol gold at the National Games on Monday.
Jonathan, who first gained attention by winning gold at the CBSE South Zone Rifle Shooting Competition in 2022, showcased his composure under pressure, shooting 240.7 in the final to secure the gold medal for Karnataka. He overcame stiff competition from Services shooters Ravinder Singh (silver, 240.3) and Gurpreet Singh (bronze, 220.1), while Sarabjot, an Olympic bronze medallist in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, finished in fourth place.
The young marksman barely made it to the final, qualifying in eighth place with a score of 578, edging out Olympian and national record holder Saurabh Chaudhary, who shot an identical score but lost in the shoot-off, finishing ninth and missing out on the medal round.
Despite an inconsistent start in the final, Jonathan held his nerve, delivering crucial shots when it mattered most. His triumph marks his biggest achievement in the senior category after previously winning gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team (junior) event and a bronze in the youth category.
"Today Was My Day," Says Elated Antony
"I'm thrilled with this win. Competing against such talented shooters who have represented India at the highest level makes this victory even more meaningful. Today was my day, and I'm proud of how it all came together," an ecstatic Antony said.In the qualification round, Ravinder Singh led the field with a score of 584, while Sarabjot secured second place with 583. However, the final saw a remarkable turnaround, with Jonathan upstaging his seasoned rivals to claim the top spot.
Sift Kaur Samra Triumphs in Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions
Punjab’s Sift Kaur Samra continued her dominance in shooting, clinching gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3-positions event with a stellar 461.2. She edged out fellow Punjab shooter and Olympian Anjum Moudgil (silver, 458.7), while Surabhi Bharadwaj of Telangana secured bronze (448.8).Samra, a 2023 Asian Games gold medallist, was in supreme form, also finishing second in the qualification round behind Madhya Pradesh’s Ashi Chouksey (598). However, Chouksey faltered in the final, finishing a disappointing seventh.
"Feels Like a Comeback," Says Samra After Gold Medal Win
"This feels like a comeback for me after the Olympics," said Samra, reflecting on her performance after an underwhelming Paris Olympics campaign."I didn’t take a break after Paris and kept training, so winning gold today feels special. I’m pleased with how I executed my routine and the small details that made the difference. It’s also wonderful to share the podium with Anjum, who's an incredible shooter," she added.
Moudgil, a 2018 World Championships double silver medallist, praised her long-time competitor and compatriot, saying, "This is the third National Games where Sift and I have finished on the podium together. She’s an extraordinary shooter, and I’ve always admired her."
While Moudgil had a shaky start, she maintained her composure to claim silver. "Staying calm and focused was key to making it to the podium. This has been the best shooting range I’ve competed in, and the organization has been fantastic," she remarked.
With these impressive performances, India’s young shooting stars continue to shine, proving their mettle against experienced Olympians and setting the stage for greater international success.
