India gold medal at Asian Games 2023: Indian Men's 10m Air Rifle Team triumphed at the 2023 Asian Games, securing a historic gold medal and etching their names in the annals of Indian sports history. The win ensured India’s first gold medal in Asian Games 2023, Hangzhou. The trio of Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Divyansh Singh Panwar, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar registered a score of 1893.7 points, shattering the world record in the process. The previous record was set by China at the Baku World Championship.
The Indian shooters faced a minor setback in the initial series as both Rudrankksh and Divyansh managed scores of 104.8, while Aishwary scored 104.1. The trio swiftly regained form, improving their scores in the subsequent series. By the time the sixth series arrived, the team had shattered the world record, amassing an impressive total of 1893.7 points.
Among the Indian shooters, Rudrankksh stood out as the top performer, securing a third-place finish in the qualification round with an impressive score of 632.5 points. Aishwary finished fifth with a score of 631.6 points. Divyansh, with a final score of 629.6, secured his spot in the final round, although he will not be eligible for an individual medal as only two shooters from a National Olympic Committee (NOC) can advance to the final stage. Indian shooters Rudrankksh and Aishwary will now compete for the three individual podium places at 9 AM IST.
The Indian contingent concluded the opening day, the first official day in Asian Games 2023, with a remarkable tally of five medals – three silver and two bronze medals – showcasing their prowess across various disciplines. Earlier in the women's 10m air rifle team event, comprising Ashi Chouksey, Mehuli Ghosh, and Ramita Jindal, India won its first medal of the ongoing Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games, a silver in shooting. The record-breaking performance of the Men's 10m Air Rifle team will undoubtedly be celebrated as one of the standout moments of the games.