In a breathtaking display of marksmanship, Indian Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar scripted history by setting a new finals world record in the men’s 10m air rifle at the ISSF World Cup held at the Egypt International Olympic City Shooting on Sunday. The 21-year-old not only secured India’s second gold medal in the competition but also demonstrated unmatched precision, surpassing the previous record held by Chinese shooter Sheng Lihao.
Record-breaking Performance:
Divyansh’s remarkable feat saw him achieve a score of 253.7, outclassing Sheng Lihao’s previous record of 253.3 set at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year. The young Indian had earlier exhibited his prowess in the qualification round, topping the charts with a world-class score of 632.4, setting the stage for a dominant performance in the finals.
Sensational Precision:
During the 24-shot final, Divyansh showcased sensational precision shooting, leaving the silver medalist, Italian Dani Sollazo, 1.9 points behind. The Indian shooter’s flawless performance was evident as he did not register any score below 10. Notably, two of his shots, the fourth and sixth, were perfect 10.9s, highlighting his exceptional control and focus.
Post-win Reflections:
Sharing his delight following the triumph, Divyansh expressed, “Winning gold after a considerable duration brings me immense joy. Despite performing well lately, the victories were eluding me. This success will undoubtedly instill confidence in me as we approach a crucial year.” The victory not only contributes another gold to Divyansh’s distinguished career but also enhances India’s overall medal count at the ISSF World Cup.
Indian Dominance:
With Divyansh’s gold medal, India now boasts two gold and two silver medals in the ISSF World Cup, taking the lead in the standings. This stellar performance by the Indian contingent underscores the nation’s prowess in shooting sports on the international stage.
Podium Presence:
In addition to Divyansh’s gold, Serbian shooter Lazar Kovacevic secured the bronze medal in the event. Meanwhile, Arjun Babuta, the second Indian finalist, finished in sixth place, contributing to India’s overall presence in the competition.