Naib Subedar Ravinder Singh, a 29-year-old ace shooter from the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) in Mhow, celebrated a remarkable victory with a grand welcome in his hometown of Bishnah. He clinched the gold medal in the Men’s 50m Free Pistol event at the ISSF World Championships held at the Egypt International Olympic City Range on October 12, 2023.
Competing against 47 top shooters from around the world, Ravinder demonstrated exceptional skill and composure. He began with a modest score of 93 in his first series but staged a remarkable comeback. Ravinder scored 98, 94, 95, 93, and rounded off with a brilliant 96, finishing with a total of 569 points. His stellar performance secured him first place ahead of South Korea’s Kim Cheongyong (556) and Individual Neutral Athlete Anton Aristarkhov (556), who won silver and bronze, respectively.
Ravinder’s victory becomes even more commendable as he had been away from training for over two weeks due to the birth of his daughter. He managed only 4–5 days of practice before the championship. His discipline, focus, and resilience culminated in this career-defining victory.
In addition to his individual success, Ravinder’s exceptional performance also contributed to India winning a silver medal in the 50m Free Pistol team event. He partnered with Kamaljeet (540) and Yogesh Kumar (537) to total 1646 points, just two points short of South Korea’s gold-winning score.
Earlier this year, Ravinder secured a silver medal in the National Games, showcasing his continued excellence in the sport. He expressed heartfelt gratitude following his recent win, 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.”
Former MLA Ashwani Kumar Sharma hailed Ravinder as a role model for the youth, while hundreds of jubilant residents flocked to the streets of Bishnah to celebrate his historic achievement. This victory not only brings glory to Jammu but also inspires countless aspiring shooters across the nation, highlighting the potential of athletes from small towns.
