Bengaluru teen Abishek Sekhar shines with 6 medals at National Shooting Championship

In a groundbreaking achievement, 18-year-old Abishek Sekhar from Bengaluru made history as the first shooter from Karnataka to win six medals at the 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) in Bhopal. Competing against India’s top marksmen, including Olympians and World Cup champions, Abishek displayed remarkable skill and composure.

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Medal Haul and Key Highlights

Abishek’s tally included:

• 3 Gold Medals in team events.
• 1 Silver Medal in the Junior Men’s 10m Air Rifle Finals with a stellar score of 251.4.
• 1 Silver Medal in the Junior Mixed Team Event with partner Tilottama Sen.
• 1 Bronze Medal in the civilian category.

His silver in the Junior Men’s Finals was particularly notable, as Rudrankksh Patil, an Olympic hopeful, set a world record during the event.

Abishek started shooting in 2019, breaking Karnataka records within two months of training. Despite a two-year pandemic break, he resumed in 2022, excelling in state and national competitions like the State Shooting Championships and Dussehra Cup. Training under Ramachandran Purushothaman at Bengaluru’s Art of Shooting Academy, he credits his success to rigorous coaching and support from the Karnataka State Rifle Association.

The 67th NSCC featured over 13,500 shooters, underscoring its stature as India’s premier shooting event. Abishek’s historic performance cements him as a rising star and a potential Olympic contender.