Asian Games 2026 Spots Up for Grabs as NRAI Selection Trials 4 Begin in Dehradun
The road to the Asian Games 2026 and the next ISSF World Cup enters a crucial phase as the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) gets set to conduct Selection Trials 4 for Group ‘A’ shooters in rifle and pistol events at the Trishul Shooting Range in Dehradun.
The trials, scheduled from June 6 to June 10 at the Maharana Pratap Sports College, will play a decisive role in shaping India’s shooting contingent for two major international competitions later this year – the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, and the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
With the country’s top shooters expected to compete across multiple disciplines, the five-day event promises intense competition as athletes battle not only for podium finishes but also for coveted places in the national squad.
The significance of the trials is amplified by the Asian Games selection criteria. Only 30 shooters across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines can be selected for the Games, making every performance crucial.
As a result, shooters who can compete successfully in multiple events will have a distinct advantage when final selections are made in accordance with NRAI’s selection policy. The trials come at an important stage of the season as India continues to establish itself as one of the strongest shooting nations in the world. Over the past few years, Indian shooters have consistently delivered medals at World Cups, Asian Championships and Olympic-level competitions, creating intense competition for national team spots.
The Dehradun trials are expected to provide selectors with a clear picture of the athletes best equipped to represent India on the international stage in the coming months.
One of the most closely watched events will be the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol competition, where teenage sensation Suraj Sharma enters as the highest-ranked shooter. Suraj recently made his senior ISSF World Cup debut in Munich and has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young talents in Indian shooting. The youngster currently sits atop the national rankings in the event ahead of two experienced Olympians Anish Bhanwala and Vijayveer Sidhu.
Bhanwala, who became one of India's youngest Commonwealth Games gold medallists, remains one of the country's most accomplished pistol shooters. Vijayveer Sidhu has also established himself as a consistent performer on the international circuit and will be eager to strengthen his claim for a place in the Asian Games squad.
Bhavesh Shekhawat, Omkar Singh and Udhayveer Sidhu complete the top six rankings heading into the trials, setting up what promises to be one of the most competitive events of the competition.
The trials will feature many of India’s leading rifle and pistol shooters who have represented the country at Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cups. With national selection at stake, every event is expected to witness a high standard of competition. The finals of the men's and women's 10m Air Rifle events are scheduled for June 7 and are likely to attract significant attention given India's strength in rifle shooting.
The women's 25m Pistol event will also be closely followed, with the precision stage taking place on June 7 before the rapid stage and final are held on June 8. The men's and women's 10m Air Pistol finals, along with the 50m Rifle 3 Positions finals, will be contested on June 9.
The competition will conclude on June 10 with the 50m Rifle Prone events for both men and women.
The outcomes of the trials will have direct implications for India's participation in two major international competitions. The ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou next month will provide shooters with an opportunity to test themselves against the world's best competitors. Strong performances there could also influence preparations ahead of the Asian Games.
For many athletes, however, the primary focus remains securing a place in the Asian Games squad. The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya are expected to feature some of the strongest shooting fields in continental competition. Nations such as China, Korea and Japan traditionally dominate the sport, making team selection particularly important for India's medal prospects.
Packed Schedule Ahead
The action begins on June 6 with Stage 1 of the men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol competition. The first set of finals will be held on June 7, featuring the men's and women's 10m Air Rifle events and the men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol final. The women's 25m Pistol final follows on June 8, while June 9 will host four major finals across air pistol and rifle disciplines.
The concluding day will focus on the 50m Rifle Prone events.
With Asian Games places hanging in the balance and World Cup selection on the line, the upcoming NRAI Selection Trials 4 could prove to be one of the most significant domestic shooting competitions of the year. For India's elite shooters, Dehradun represents the next major step in their journey towards international success in 2026.
Comments (0)
to post comments, replies, and votes.
Loading comments…
