India's shooters continued their stellar performance at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, as the duo of Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan clinched the gold medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event on Saturday. The pair showcased remarkable skill and composure to secure the top spot on the podium.
In the gold medal match, the Indian team faced a tough challenge from China’s Dingke Lu and Xinlu Peng. The Chinese pair established an early lead, but Babuta and Valarivan mounted a stirring comeback after a faltering start. Overturning the initial deficit, the Indians found their rhythm in the later rounds to decisively win the final with a score of 17-11.
This victory marks the second gold medal for Elavenil Valarivan at the championship. Her outstanding performance in the mixed team event comes on the heels of her individual triumph, where she had already finished on top of the table in the 10m air rifle women’s competition, making it a memorable double gold for the ace shooter.
The win was also the second gold for Arjun Babuta, who was a key part of the Indian men's team that secured the top prize in the 10m Air Rifle event earlier in the tournament. He, along with teammates Rudrankksh Patil and Kiran Jadhav, had previously clinched the team gold, highlighting the depth of talent in the Indian rifle squad.
The consistent success in both individual and team events underscores a dominant run for the Indian contingent in the rifle disciplines at the Asian Championship. This latest gold in the mixed team final is further solidifying India's position as a powerhouse in the sport on the continental stage.