**Anish Bhanwala Clinches Historic Silver at ISSF World Championships in 25m Rapid-Fire Pistol**
**Meta Description:** Indian shooter Anish Bhanwala secured a historic silver medal in the 25m rapid-fire pistol at the ISSF World Championships, marking his career’s pinnacle.
Indian shooting star Anish Bhanwala has etched his name in history, clinching a remarkable silver medal in the fiercely competitive 25m rapid-fire pistol event at the recent ISSF World Championships. This monumental achievement on Sunday marks the most significant milestone in the 23-year-old’s impressive career.
Hailing from Haryana, Bhanwala showcased extraordinary composure throughout the final. He navigated two intense shoot-offs with remarkable precision, ultimately securing the second position with a score of 28 points.
A Display of Nerves and Skill
Anish’s journey to the final was equally strong, demonstrating consistent high performance. He qualified in a robust second place, posting an impressive total of 585 points.
His qualification score included 291 points in Stage 1 on Saturday, which he significantly improved upon with 294 points in Stage 2 on Sunday, setting the stage for his medal bid.
The Thrilling Final: Navigating Shoot-offs
The final round was a spectacle of intense competition and high stakes. French shooter Clement Bessaguet, who had led the qualification round with an outstanding 589 points, eventually claimed the gold medal with 31 points.
Bhanwala, a previous silver medalist in the mixed team event at the 2022 World Championships in Cairo, started the final brilliantly. He fired a perfect five in the opening series, setting a strong pace.
After the initial three series of five shots each, the young Indian held a strong second position with 16 points. He was trailing China’s Ni Zhixin by just one point (17 points), showcasing his immediate impact.
He continued his consistent performance into the elimination rounds, achieving two consecutive scores of 4. This kept him firmly in contention, finding himself tied with three other competitors at 20 points.
Despite a brief setback in the third elimination round, where he missed three targets, Bhanwala demonstrated incredible resilience. He amassed 22 points while Clement Bessaguet established a clear lead with 25 points.
His composure shone brightest during the crucial shoot-offs. Bhanwala successfully overcame challenges from Germany’s Emanuel Mueller and Ukraine’s Maksym Horodynets, who ultimately secured the bronze medal, to advance to the gold medal match against Clement.
A Legacy Forged: India’s Shooting Pride
This silver medal is not just a personal best for Anish Bhanwala; it’s a significant moment for Indian shooting on the global stage. It stands as the second-best Indian performance ever in this specific event at the World Championships.
This achievement echoes the historic silver medal won by the legendary Vijay Kumar at the 2012 London Olympics, placing Bhanwala firmly among India’s elite rapid-fire pistol shooters.
Anish’s Words and Future Aspirations
Overwhelmed with emotion, Anish shared his feelings in a post-match interview with ISSF, stating, “It is difficult to explain in words, but the feeling is completely unreal.”
He reflected on his journey: “I have tried a lot of times before; my preparation has been good but I could not deliver when it came to the competition. This time I was better prepared in my training and things worked out in my favour.”
This stellar performance has also earned Anish a coveted spot in next month’s World Cup Final in Doha, a testament to his dedication and evolving skill.
Other Indian Performances
While Anish shone brightly, other Indian shooters also participated in the event. Adarsh Singh and Sameer finished 22nd and 35th respectively, with scores of 575 and 571.
The combined efforts of the Indian team, comprising Anish, Adarsh, and Sameer, resulted in a respectable fifth-place overall finish with a total score of 1731.
In the Air Rifle mixed team event, Indian pairs faced tougher competition and were unable to reach the medal rounds. Here’s a quick overview of their standings:
- Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan: 8th position with 632.3 points.
- Rudrankksh Patil and Shreya Agrawal: 21st position with 628.8 points.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Indian Shooting
Anish Bhanwala’s silver medal at the ISSF World Championships is more than just a win; it’s an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation. His journey, marked by perseverance, composure, and a relentless drive to excel, highlights the immense talent within Indian shooting.
As he looks forward to the World Cup Final in Doha, the entire nation will be cheering for this rising star, hopeful for more glory to come and further solidifying India’s presence on the international shooting stage.