India win team silver in 50m 3P, draw a blank in individual final

India's shooting contingent added another medal to its tally at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, with the women's team capturing silver in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. The trio of Sift Kaur Samra, Ashi Chouksey, and Manini Kaushik delivered a strong collective performance but were unable to replicate that success in the individual finals.

Team Performance Secures Second Place

The Indian team achieved a combined score of 1764 points to secure the silver medal. Their performance placed them firmly on the podium, second only to the host nation, China, which set a new world record with an impressive score of 1773. The Republic of Korea's team finished with the bronze medal, scoring 1756 points.

Strong Qualification Rounds

Two of India's shooters advanced to the individual final based on their strong showings in the qualification round. Sift Kaur Samra demonstrated exceptional form, scoring 594 to finish second in the qualifying stage and equaling the Asian Games record. Ashi Chouksey also earned a spot in the final, qualifying in sixth position with a score of 590. The third team member, Manini Kaushik, finished 18th with a score of 580 and did not advance.

Individual Podium Finish Remains Out of Reach

Despite their promising qualification results, both Samra and Chouksey fell short of winning individual medals. In a competitive final round, Samra ultimately finished in fifth place, while Chouksey ended the event in the sixth position. The outcome marked a day of mixed results, highlighting the team's collective strength while underscoring the intense competition in the individual disciplines.

Future Outlook

The silver medal contributes to a successful campaign for the Indian shooting squad at the games, which has so far been a significant source of medals for the country. The performance demonstrates the depth of talent in the women's rifle team, though the results from the individual final indicate a highly competitive field where converting qualification success into podium finishes remains a key challenge for the athletes moving forward.