By Niharika Singh
Dehradun, 6 Feb: Fifteen-year-old Jonathan Anthony made a sensational mark on the national shooting scene by clinching gold in the men’s 10m pistol event at the National Games 2025. Competing against seasoned Olympians, the Karnataka shooter showcased remarkable composure and skill at the finals held in Uttarakhand on Thursday.
Anthony secured his maiden senior national gold with a score of 240.7, narrowly edging out Services’ Ravinder Singh, who finished with 240.3. Gurpreet Singh of Services settled for bronze with a score of 220.1. The young prodigy’s stellar performance earned him the top spot on the podium and signalled his arrival as a rising star in Indian shooting.
“I am overwhelmed by this victory. Competing against such experienced shooters and winning gold is a dream come true. I have been training rigorously for this moment, and I am glad my hard work paid off,” Anthony said after his historic win.
The competition was fierce, with the presence of top-tier shooters, but Anthony’s calm demeanour and precision shooting in the final rounds set him apart. His victory will open doors for greater opportunities, including potential national team selections and international competitions.
Haryana Dominates Mixed Team Event
In the air pistol mixed team event, Haryana’s duo of Suruchi and Parmod delivered an outstanding performance to claim the gold medal with a commanding 17-7 victory over Rajasthan’s Anjali Shekhawat and Umesh Choudhary. The Haryana pair dominated from the start, maintaining consistency and accuracy to secure the title convincingly.
Maharashtra Clinches Bronze in a Tight Contest
The bronze medal in the mixed team event went to Maharashtra’s pairing of Rahi Sarnobat and Pranav Patil. They triumphed over Uttarakhand’s home team of Abhinav Deshwal and Yashasvi Joshi in a closely fought battle. The Maharashtra shooters showcased resilience under pressure to claim their place on the podium.
With young talents like Jonathan Anthony emerging on the national stage, the future of Indian shooting looks promising. The National Games 2025 has once again highlighted the depth of talent in the country, setting the stage for more exciting performances in the coming years.
