A 14-member Indian shooting contingent comprising of 13 athletes of the Tokyo 2020 Rifle and Pistol squad and a lone Men’s Skeet shooter, wrapped up their engagements at the year’s final International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup stage in Osijek, Croatia, after Sanjeev Rajput and Tejaswini Sawant finished fifth in the 50M Rifle 3 Positions (3P) Mixed Team event on Tuesday, thereby missing out on a shot at a medal.
India, therefore, finished at their overnight tally of one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals to be placed seventh on the medals tally with three more competition days to go.
Rahi Sarnobat had claimed the gold in the Women’s 25M Pistol on Monday in sensational fashion, while India also won a silver and a bronze in two other Olympic events- the 10M Air Pistol Mixed Team and 10M Air Pistol Men’s events respectively. Saurabh Chaudhary being involved in both those events, pairing up with Manu Bhaker in the Mixed event.
India also won another bronze in the non-Olympic 10M Air Pistol Women’s Team event through Rahi Sarnobat, Manu Bhaker, and Yashaswini Deswal. Three Indian athletes- Rahi, Manu and Saurabh won two medals each for the country.
India was only entered in the 3P Mixed event on Tuesday through two pairs- Anjum Moudgil and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar making up the second along with Tejaswini and Sanjeev.
Sanjeev and Tejaswini made it to the second qualifying stage of eight teams but then missed out on a shot at bronze on account of being one inner 10 less than Hungary who finished fourth on an equal score of 581, but had 29 inner 10s to India’s 28.
Anjum and Aishwary were placed ninth at the first qualifying stage, losing out to their compatriots on inner 10s as well.
Late on Monday, the Women’s 3P individual finals were also played out and won by Russia’s Yulia Karimova. India’s Tejaswini Sawant and Anjum Moudgil had finished 20th and 32nd respectively in that event.
Russia has been leading the charts with seven golds so far in the final top-level shooting competition before the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, which has eventually seen participation from over 600 athletes from 61 countries.
The Indian Rifle and Pistol squad have been in Croatia for over two months now on a training cum competition trip before they embark upon Tokyo in the third week of July. Two Men’s Skeet Shooters, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, and Angad Vir Singh Bajwa will also join them and are presently training in Italy.
Vishal Sharma is a renowned Indian journalist, cyber security expert, social activist, and poet, better known in literary circles as Surur Akbarabadi. Journalism is his first love, through which he has captured the pulse of society and pursued an unwavering commitment to truth. He divides his time between Agra—his ancestral home, famed for the Taj Mahal and Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb—and Lucknow, the cultural capital of Uttar Pradesh, where he lives as a devoted husband and doting father. His personal life, filled with love and care for his family, anchors his relentless efforts for societal good.
Vishal’s academic path reflects his versatility: a B.Sc. degree sharpened his scientific rigor, while an LL.B. equipped him with a legal perspective. His journalistic career is illustrious, having worked with prominent publications such as The Indian Express, The Pioneer, Indo-American Times, and Business Standard, where he mastered the art of weaving facts into compelling narratives. As Managing Editor of Indian Talent Magazine, he nurtured emerging voices, and today, he runs Agra24.in, a news portal that keeps Agra’s heartbeat alive online, while also serving on the editorial boards of several other digital platforms, amplifying stories that matter.
Poetry is Vishal’s close second love, expressed under his pseudonym Surur Akbarabadi—a blend of "joy" and a tribute to Agra’s rich legacy. Inspired by Urdu giants like Ghalib, Faiz, and Nazir Akbarabadi, his verses, such as "विरासत-ए-ज़फ़र का ये अंजाम देखिए" and "खामोशियों का शोर," fuse personal reflection with societal critique, offering both solace and commentary. His prose is equally powerful, spanning environmental concerns, political satire, and calls for unity, resonating widely on platforms like X.
Vishal’s dedication to society shines through his diverse roles. As Vice-Chairman of Hindustani Biradari, he champions communal harmony, countering divisive narratives with appeals for peace. As Secretary of the Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber, he strengthens the city’s tourism ecosystem, ensuring its heritage—tangible and intangible—thrives. His work on Agra’s Heritage and History Conservation Committee reflects his commitment to preserving the city’s past, from Mughal marvels to forgotten tales, while his active role in civil society amplifies grassroots concerns.
A Cyber Security Consultant by profession, Vishal safeguards digital frontiers, a role that aligns with his critiques of online toxicity. His editorial oversight of Agra24.in and other portals merges his journalism with tech-savvy insight, delivering real-time updates to a global audience. Whether exposing institutional opacity or celebrating cultural milestones, his pen remains a tool for truth.
A photography and travel enthusiast, Vishal is fond of long drives across the country, capturing India’s diverse landscapes through his lens. He holds a special love for Rajasthan, where the vibrant culture and rugged beauty inspire him, and often unwinds on jungle safaris, with Sariska being his favorite retreat to reconnect with nature. In Lucknow, he balances his public endeavors with a private life of warmth and stability. A devoted husband and doting father, he draws strength from his family, rooting his activism in personal values. From conserving Agra’s heritage to dissecting global economics, Vishal Sharma stands as a modern polymath—a journalist of conscience, a poet of the people, and a guardian of culture and justice, leaving an indelible mark on India’s intellectual and social fabric.
hot at a medal.
