Anjum Moudgil and Aakriti Dahiya Shine at Asian Championship

India Secures Rifle Medals Under Revised ISSF Rules

India’s rifle shooters registered an impressive outing at the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship, highlighted by Anjum Moudgil winning bronze in the women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions and Aakriti Dahiya earning her first international medal with a silver finish. The competition underscored both technical precision and mental resilience.

Qualification Drama and Recovery

Anjum encountered an unusual setback during qualification after mistakenly firing scoring shots while believing they were sighters. In shooting events, sighter shots serve as non-scoring attempts to fine-tune aim. By the time the error became apparent, eight shots had already counted toward her match score. Crucially, her disciplined shot execution ensured all attempts scored perfect 10s, preventing performance damage. She stabilised her rhythm, secured third place in qualification, and later claimed bronze.

Aakriti Dahiya’s Breakthrough

Aakriti Dahiya’s silver medal represented a milestone achievement. Competing in one of shooting’s most technically demanding disciplines, she maintained consistency through the final stages. The 50m Rifle 3 Positions event tests athletes across kneeling, prone, and standing stances, each demanding distinct balance, breathing control, and trigger discipline.

Tactical Shifts Under New ISSF Rules

The final operated under revised regulations introduced by the International Shooting Sport Federation . Shorter segments and faster transitions have increased cognitive load, requiring rapid adaptation and sharper concentration. Shooters must now recalibrate strategies mid-competition rather than rely on prolonged stage separation.

Exam-Focused Points

• 50m Rifle 3 Positions: kneeling, prone, standing stages.

• ISSF: Governing body for international shooting sports.

• Sighter shots: Practice shots before scoring begins.

• Revised rules emphasise speed & tactical flexibility .

• Kazakhstan and India remain strong rifle shooting nations.