India announces 30-member shooting squad for 20th Asian Games in Japan

India has named a 30-member shooting contingent for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The team features top shooters like Manu Bhaker, Rudrankksh Patil, and Vidarsa K. Vinod across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events

Hyderabad: The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Thursday announced a 30-member Indian shooting contingent for the upcoming 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

Shooting disciplines will be contested from September 17 to October 3 at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Range.

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While all selected athletes successfully cleared the stringent qualification criteria laid down by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), the final roster is limited to 30 athletes (15 men and 15 women) due to strict dynamic quota caps enforced by the Games’ Organising Committee.

Following extensive deliberations and a detailed event-wise assessment, the Committee identified a select group of athletes capable of competing across multiple disciplines. This strategic approach enables India to maximise participation across all available events while maintaining the strongest possible medal prospects in both individual and team competitions. The approved double starters are Vidarsa K. Vinod, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil, Manu Bhaker, and Esha Singh.

NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo said, “Selecting this team was a challenging task given the exceptional depth and quality of talent in Indian shooting today.”

The squad:

Rifle & Pistol

10m air rifle

Men: Parth Rakesh Mane, Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
Women: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Uttam Maskar, Vidarsa K. Vinod

50m rifle 3-position

Men: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil
Women: Ashi Chouksey, Vidarsa K. Vinod, Tilottama Sen

10m air pistol

Men: Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Gaurav, Kamaljeet
Women: Suruchi, Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker

25m rapid fire pistol

Men: Anish
Women: Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, Rahi Sarnobat

Mixed team events

10m air rifle mixed team: Parth Rakesh Mane, Elavenil Valarivan
10m air pistol mixed team: Kedarling B. Uchaganve, Suruchi

Shotgun squad

Trap

Men: Kynan Chenai, Ahvar Rizvi, Shapath Bharadwaj
Women: Neeru, Manisha Keer, Aashima Ahlawat

Skeet

Men: Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, Mairaj Ahmad Khan
Women: Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan