Naib Subedar Ravinder Singh, a 29-year-old ace shooter from the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow, secured a historic gold medal in the Men’s 50m Free Pistol event at the ISSF World Championships held in Egypt. His remarkable victory earned him a grand welcome in his hometown of Bishnah, Jammu.
Ravinder competed against 47 top shooters from around the world, displaying exceptional skill and composure under pressure. He began his event with a modest score of 93 in his first series but made an extraordinary comeback by shooting scores of 98, 94, 95, 93, and achieving a brilliant 96 in his final series. This effort pushed his total score to 569 points, allowing him to decisively surpass South Korea’s Kim Cheongyong (556) and Individual Neutral Athlete Anton Aristarkhov (556), who finished second and third, respectively.
Ravinder’s triumph stands out not only for its competitive merit but also due to the circumstances surrounding his training. He faced significant challenges, having been away from rigorous training for over two weeks due to the recent birth of his daughter. As a result, he managed only 4–5 days of practice before the championship, illustrating his remarkable discipline, focus, and resilience that culminated in this career-defining victory.
In addition to his individual success, Ravinder’s performance contributed to India’s efforts in the championships. He played a crucial role in the country’s team event, helping secure a silver medal in the 50m Free Pistol category. Alongside fellow shooters Kamaljeet (540) and Yogesh Kumar (537), the team totaled 1646 points, narrowly missing the gold by just two points to South Korea’s impressive score.
This prominent victory is another feather in the cap for Ravinder, who previously earned a National Games silver medal earlier this year. He expressed heartfelt gratitude post-victory, stating, “It’s not my personal achievement but for all those who stood behind me. I am thankful to my family and the Army for their support.”
The community in Bishnah celebrated this remarkable achievement, with former MLA Ashwani Kumar Sharma praising Ravinder as a role model for the youth. Local residents filled the streets, celebrating his historic win, and showcasing their pride in his accomplishments.
