Paris Olympics: Know Your Indian Men Shooters - Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anish Bhanwala, Sarabjot Singh...

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India is set to field its largest-ever shooting contingent at the Paris Olympics with 21 shooters vying for medals across 15 events. Follow our Paris Olympic Coverage

As the nation pins its hopes on this talented group, several athletes have emerged as frontrunners. Here are the Indian male shooters who will represent the country in Paris.

Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar

Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar has rapidly emerged as a prominent figure in Indian shooting. His journey from a rural background to the national limelight is a testament to his dedication and talent.

Specializing in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, Tomar has showcased exceptional consistency and accuracy, securing a quota for the Paris Olympics. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver clutch performances makes him a strong medal contender.

Swapnil Kusale

Swapnil Kusale, another promising talent in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, represents the state of Maharashtra. His journey from a farmer's son to a national-level shooter is inspiring. Kusale's consistent performances in national championships and international competitions earned him a spot in the Olympic team. His ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver accurate shots will be crucial in his quest for a medal.

Sarabjot Singh

Sarabjot Singh, hailing from Haryana, is a rising star in the world of pistol shooting. His journey from a humble background to the national stage is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Specializing in the 25m rapid fire pistol event, Singh has showcased exceptional talent and consistency. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver clutch shots has made him a strong contender for a medal.

Anish Bhanwala

Anish Bhanwala, another promising talent from Haryana, has quickly made a name for himself in the world of pistol shooting. At a young age, he has already achieved significant success at the international level. Bhanwala's exceptional speed and accuracy in the 25m rapid fire pistol event make him a force to be reckoned with. His ability to handle the pressure of international competition will be crucial for his success in Paris.

Sandeep Singh

Sandeep Singh, a 28-year-old Naib Subedar from Faridkot, is set to make his Olympic debut in the men's 10m air rifle event. Despite facing significant challenges, including a two-year suspension due to a positive test for a beta blocker in 2019, Sandeep's determination never wavered. Initially devastated by the suspension, which resulted in being ostracized by fellow trainees in the Army Marksman Unit (AMU) and being posted away from competitive shooting, Sandeep fought back. He trained alone at night while on duty and eventually convinced his seniors to let him participate in trials in 2023. His perseverance paid off as he won gold in the Kumar Surendra Singh competition and silver at the 2023 National Games, earning his spot in the Indian team for Paris.

Arjun Babuta

Arjun Babuta's journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to his resilience and consistency. After narrowly missing out on major competitions in 2022, Babuta made a strong comeback by winning a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championships in Changwon, South Korea. This victory secured his quota for the Paris Olympics. During the grueling Olympic trials held by the National Rifle Association of India, Babuta consistently finished in the top three, outperforming established shooters like Rudrankksh Patil and Divyansh Singh Panwar. His ability to maintain focus and improve incrementally has been key to his success. Babuta emphasizes the importance of mental conditioning and continuous improvement, aiming to replicate his training performance on the Olympic stage.

Arjun Singh Cheema

Arjun Singh Cheema, hailing from Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab, will be competing in the men's 10m air pistol event and the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics. The 23-year-old has shown remarkable resilience, having narrowly missed qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. Cheema's background in swimming provided a strong foundation for his shooting career, enhancing his physical and mental discipline. His journey from a promising swimmer to a dedicated shooter has been supported by his family's athletic heritage and his own unwavering dedication. Trained by coach Satguru Das since 2018, Cheema's meticulous approach and focus on continuous improvement have prepared him well for the pressures of the Olympics.

Vijayveer Sidhu

Vijayveer Sidhu, born on June 21, 2002, is one of India's promising young shooters. He secured an Olympic quota for the Paris Olympics in the 25m rapid fire pistol event by winning a silver medal at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jakarta in January 2024. Sidhu's notable achievements include a bronze medal in the Men's 25m rapid fire pistol team event at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. With a strong track record in international competitions, Sidhu is expected to be a formidable competitor in Paris.

Prithviraj Tondaiman

Born on June 6, 1987, Prithviraj Tondaiman from the ruling dynasty of Pudukkottai began shooting at 15, inspired by his father Rajagopal Tondaiman, a former Indian shooter. Despite financial challenges, he excelled in trap shooting, graduating from France and earning an MBA from SRM University. Prithviraj has represented India in numerous championships, achieving notable placements such as 22nd in the Trap Mixed Team at Baku 2023 and 13th in the Trap Men at Doha 2023. He aims to secure a medal for India at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Anantjeet Singh Naruka

Born on July 1, 1998, Anantjeet Singh Naruka from Jaipur, Rajasthan, was coached by his father. His significant achievements include a gold medal in men's skeet at the 2015 National Shotgun Championships and a silver and bronze in men's skeet events at the 2022 Asian Games. Anantjeet aims to shine at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Paris 2024 Olympics: Indian shooting squad (Men)

• Men’s 10m air rifle: Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta
• Men’s 50m rifle 3 positions: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil Kusale
• Men’s 10m air pistol: Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Cheema
• Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu
• Men’s trap: Prithviraj Tondaiman
• Men’s skeet: Anantjeet Singh Naruka