India's Samrat Rana scripts history, clinches gold in 10m air pistol at ISSF World Championships

Samrat Rana produced an exceptional display in the final to beat China's World number 1 Hu Kai and clinch the elusive gold medal in men's 10m air pistol event at the prestigious ISSF World Championships in Cairo, Egypt on Monday, November 10. Rana scripted history by becoming India's first men's 10m air pistol world champion.

The 22-year-old shooter was up against world no.1 and overwhelming favourite Hu Kai in the final of his first-ever ISSF World Championships. However, he held his nerves to shoot 10.6 in his final shot to bag the gold medal. The young shooter, who hails from Haryana's Karnal, beat Hu Kai 243.7-243.3 in the final.

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It was a nerve-wracking showdown between Samrat and Hu Kai in Cairo as the Indian edged the world no.1 with a spectacular final shot. The Chinese scored 10.8 on his last shot in the final to take his overall score to 243.3. Samrat, who was on 233.1, needed at least a 10.3 or more to beat Hu Kai for the top spot on the podium.

The 22-year-old shot a remarkable 10.6 under pressure in his final shot to clinch the gold medal, becoming India's first-ever men's 10m air pistol world champion. His victory is a significant moment in India's shooting history, as no male Indian shooter has ever reached where Samrat has.

While India have done well in the women's 10m air pistol event at the World Championships, the men's event has traditionally been dominated by China, Korea, Iran and Germany. However, Samrat marked an end to the dominance with his unprecedented victory on Monday.

While Samrat won the elusive gold medal after beating world no.1 Hu Kai in the final, his compatriot Varun Tomar bagged the bronze medal in the men's 10m air pistol event at the ISSF World Championships on Monday. Tomar shot 221.7 in the final to finish third and take the bronze medal.

Tomar's bronze medal victory meant India bagged two positions on the podium for the first time in the history of the ISSF World Cup. Earlier in the day, Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker finished a disappointing 7th in the women's 10m air pistol event final at the World Championships.