At just 20 years old, India’s Samrat Rana has achieved what no Indian shooter has done before — winning gold in the men’s 10m air pistol at the ISSF World Championships 2025 in Cairo. With his record-breaking performance, Rana etched his name into the annals of Indian sporting history, becoming the nation’s first-ever World Champion in an Olympic pistol event.
The young shooter from Karnal, Haryana, delivered a sensational display of precision, composure, and mental strength to outshoot the world’s best marksmen. In a nail-biting final, Rana registered an extraordinary score of 243.7 points, narrowly surpassing China’s Hu Kai, who finished with 243.3 points. The tension-filled finale kept spectators on edge until Rana’s final series of shots sealed India’s golden moment in spectacular style.
Rana’s victory marks a historic milestone for India’s shooting program — a sport that has seen tremendous growth but had yet to produce a men’s World Champion in an Olympic pistol category. His achievement is being hailed as a “new era for Indian shooting”, inspiring young athletes across the country.
“I can’t describe this feeling,” an emotional Samrat said after his win. “To hear the national anthem play and know I made history for India — it’s the proudest moment of my life.”
Throughout the competition, Rana demonstrated remarkable poise under pressure, maintaining consistent scores through all qualification and final rounds. His mental toughness stood out in the closing moments, where every decimal point mattered. His final 10.8 shot — delivered with unwavering calm — secured India’s victory and sent waves of celebration across the shooting community.
Coaches and teammates praised the youngster’s discipline and determination. “Samrat’s ability to stay composed in the face of immense pressure is world-class,” said National Pistol Coach Ronak Pandit. “He’s shown that India can compete and win at the very top level of world shooting.”
Rana’s triumph is expected to have a long-lasting impact on India’s shooting scene. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) congratulated the young champion, calling his performance “a watershed moment for Indian shooting” and predicting a bright Olympic future for him.
With this victory, Samrat joins the ranks of India’s most promising athletes — following in the footsteps of legends like Abhinav Bindra and Manu Bhaker, but carving out a unique legacy of his own as the first Indian to claim a world title in Olympic pistol shooting.
As the tricolor rose high in Cairo, one thing became clear: Samrat Rana’s golden shot has redefined Indian shooting forever.
