In a moment that will be etched forever in Indian shooting history, Samrat Rana, a 20-year-old marksman from Karnal, Haryana, became the first Indian pistol shooter to win a gold medal in an Olympic discipline at the ISSF World Championships. Shooting a sensational 243.7 in a tense final, Rana edged out China’s season-dominant Hu Kai by just 0.4 points, claiming the top spot in the men’s 10m air pistol event in Cairo, Egypt.

A visibly emotional Rana said after his win, “I still can’t believe it. It feels unreal to finally see it all come together.” For him, this wasn’t just a victory; it was a validation of years of discipline, faith, and father-son teamwork.

From Karnal to Cairo: The Making of a Champion

Rana’s journey to the world stage is one of quiet dedication and unwavering belief. Coached by his father since 2018, the young shooter began training on a modest home range in Karnal. Over time, his natural talent combined with technical precision made him one of India’s most promising pistol prospects. The father-son duo focused on building consistency shot by shot, breath by breath. 

Rana’s father, a firm believer in calmness under pressure, always told him, “Don’t chase medals, chase your best shot.”  That philosophy carried Samrat through the most nerve-wracking moments of his career, including the final in Cairo, where the lead switched multiple times between him, Hu Kai, and fellow Indian Varun Tomar.

The Final That Tested Nerves and Heartbeats

The men’s 10m air pistol final in Cairo had everything: a global stage, world champions, and young guns ready to dethrone them. Rana started strong but found himself trailing slightly midway through the elimination rounds. China’s Hu Kai, undefeated throughout the season, looked poised to extend his dominance. However, as the pressure mounted, Rana’s focus deepened. Every shot after the 18th round was hit with precision and calmness rarely seen in a world debutant. By the final shot, just 0.4 points separated the top two. Hu fired first, a near-perfect 10.5. Rana stepped up, exhaled slowly, and delivered a 10.7, sealing the historic gold.

Double Delight for India: Varun Tomar Claims Bronze

India’s celebration didn’t stop with Rana’s triumph. Varun Tomar, 21, from Baghpat and cousin of Olympic ace Saurabh Chaudhary, clinched bronze with a total of 221.7, marking the first time two Indian shooters stood on the podium in the same event at the World Championships. Tomar had been neck-and-neck with both Hu and Rana throughout the final, even leading briefly during the third elimination stage. His calmness under pressure and precision reinforced India’s growing stature in world shooting. Earlier in the day, Rana topped qualification with a stellar 586, narrowly edging Tomar, who matched the total but had fewer inner 10s. Together with Shravan Kumar, the duo also helped India win team gold with a combined score of 1754, making it a historic triple celebration for the nation.

Breaking Barriers and Setting Benchmarks

Rana’s triumph is not just about an individual medal; it marks a turning point in India’s shooting evolution. For decades, Indian shooters have excelled in rifle and junior pistol categories, but a senior gold in an Olympic pistol discipline had remained elusive until now. The 2025 Cairo World Championship showed the world that India’s next generation of shooters, trained under a mix of discipline, science, and emotion, are ready to challenge the best. India’s National Rifle Association (NRAI) hailed the feat as “a monumental day for Indian shooting,” while former champions called it “the rise of a new era.”

With his first world title in hand, Samrat Rana’s journey is only beginning. The victory has not only earned him international recognition but also placed him firmly on the road to the Paris 2028 Olympics.