Narmada Nithin Raju Shoots Down National Record To Clinch Women's 10m Air Rifle Gold; Anish Bhanwala Wins 25m Rapid Fire Pistol

Former World Cup winner Narmada Nithin Raju overcame a strong field, which included Asian Games medallist Ramita Jindal and Olympian Elavenil Valarivan, to not just create a national record but miss equalling the world mark by a fraction of a point on her way to clinching gold in the women's 10m air rifle event at the 38th National Games in Dehradun on Thursday. Among other results, Haryana's 2022 World Championships silver medallist Anish Bhanwala bagged gold in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event.

Narmada, representing Tamil Nadu, clinched the top podium finish with a score of 254.4, beating back the challenge from Maharashtra's Arya Borse (252.5) and Ramita (230.4) in the eight-shooter final.

In the process, she broke the national mark of 252.9 set by Olympian Apurvi Chandela at the 2019 World Cup in New Delhi. The world record in the event is 254.5 points, set by Huang Yuting of China at last year's ISSF World Cup Final in New Delhi.

"I can't express how happy I am. Representing my state is always a point of pride. Handling pressure on the range is part of the game, but today, it all came together," Narmada said.

Reflecting on her journey, Narmada had some words for young athletes.

"Instead of looking for role models, be your own. Push yourself every day, and you'll find success." This was 23-year-old Narmada's third-biggest career achievement in the event after she had won the 10m air rifle mixed team gold partnering Rudrankksh Patil at the 2023 Cairo World Cup and bagging a bronze at the World Cup in Bhopal the same year.

Self-assured and in total control of her nerves, Narmada, who was third at the end of the qualification round on Wednesday, shot a string of superb scores to stamp her authority over her more