Akhil Sheoran, Dhanush Srikanth and Rudransh Khandelwal Win Arjuna Award as Neha Chavan Gets Dronacharya Honour

Indian shooting has received a significant boost at the National Sports Awards 2025, with four members of the fraternity earning some of the highest honours in Indian sport.

Akhil Sheoran, Dhanush Srikanth and Rudransh Khandelwal have been recognised with the Arjuna Award for their achievements across different shooting disciplines, while coach Neha Nandkumar Chavan has been conferred the Dronacharya Award for her contribution to the development of athletes.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the National Sports Awards on August 18, with the honours recognising outstanding performances and contributions across Indian sport. For the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the recognition of athletes from able-bodied, deaf and para shooting, along with a leading coach, represents a proud moment for the wider shooting ecosystem.

The four awardees also reflect the depth and diversity of Indian shooting, with excellence being recognised across multiple disciplines and pathways.

Akhil Sheoran Rewarded for Consistency in Rifle Shooting

Akhil Sheoran has established himself as one of India’s leading rifle shooters, particularly in the demanding 50m Rifle 3 Positions discipline. His Arjuna Award recognition comes after years of consistent performances within the national shooting setup.

Akhil is currently part of the NRAI’s 2026 National Squad and has continued to remain among the leading performers in domestic competition. Earlier this year, he finished first in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event at Selection Trial 3, underlining his ability to remain competitive in one of the most technically demanding events in international shooting.

The 50m Rifle 3 Positions discipline requires athletes to perform across kneeling, prone and standing positions, making consistency across all three sections essential for success. Akhil’s presence in the national squad and his performances in the domestic selection trials have kept him firmly in contention within India’s highly competitive rifle setup.

The Arjuna Award now recognises his sustained contribution and achievements in the sport.

Historic Recognition for Deaf Shooting Star Dhanush Srikanth

Dhanush Srikanth’s recognition carries special significance following his historic performance at the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo. The world No. 1 shooter in the deaf category created history by winning India’s first-ever shooting gold medal at the Deaflympics. Competing in the 10m Air Rifle event, Dhanush delivered a record-breaking performance in the final.

He scored 252.2, rewriting the deaf category world record and surpassing his own previous mark of 251.7. His performance in Tokyo was even more impressive because he had earlier set a new Deaflympics qualification record to book his place in the final. Once there, he delivered under pressure to create one of the defining moments in Indian deaf sport.

His victory was complemented by teammate Mohammed Murtaza Vania, who won the silver medal with a score of 250.1. For Dhanush, the Arjuna Award is recognition of a breakthrough period that placed him at the top of world deaf shooting. His journey and success also underline the growing depth of Indian shooting across different competitive categories.

Rudransh Khandelwal has been one of India’s promising names in para shooting and has represented the country at some of the biggest events in the sport. Competing in pistol events in the SH1 classification, Rudransh has represented India at the Asian Para Games, World Shooting Para Sport World Cups, World Championships and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

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His international record includes multiple medals at World Shooting Para Sport competitions, including gold-medal performances. The Arjuna Award is therefore a significant recognition of his contribution to Indian para shooting and his performances on the international stage. Rudransh’s presence at the Paris Paralympics and other major competitions reflects the growing strength of India’s para shooting programme.

His recognition is also expected to provide further encouragement to young para athletes looking to pursue shooting at the elite level.

Neha Nandkumar Chavan Honoured with Dronacharya Award

While the Arjuna Awards recognise the achievements of athletes, Neha Nandkumar Chavan’s Dronacharya Award highlights the equally important role played by coaches. Her contribution to Indian shooting has been recognised through the prestigious coaching honour. The Dronacharya Award celebrates the work of coaches who help athletes develop, perform and achieve success at the highest levels of competition.

For Neha, the award is recognition of her role in supporting shooters through their journeys and contributing to the wider development of the sport. Her honour also serves as a reminder that elite sporting success is built through an entire support system involving coaches, families, trainers and administrators. The recognition of a coach alongside three athletes makes the shooting fraternity’s presence at the National Sports Awards particularly significant.

NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo congratulated all four awardees and described the honours as a matter of pride for the entire shooting fraternity. “Their journeys represent the determination, discipline and perseverance that are at the heart of sporting excellence,” he said. “These honours are not only a celebration of their individual achievements but also of the coaches, families and support systems that have stood behind them.”

NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh also highlighted the significance of having representatives from multiple shooting disciplines recognised. He noted that Akhil, Dhanush and Rudransh had demonstrated excellence in their respective fields, while Neha’s honour underlined the crucial contribution coaches make towards athlete development.

The National Sports Awards 2025 have therefore brought a proud moment for Indian shooting. From the precision and consistency of Akhil Sheoran in rifle shooting to Dhanush Srikanth’s historic Deaflympics gold, Rudransh Khandelwal’s success in para shooting and Neha Nandkumar Chavan’s contribution as a coach, the four honours represent different dimensions of the sport.

Together, they underline the strength of an Indian shooting ecosystem that continues to produce athletes and coaches capable of succeeding and being recognised at the highest level.