Naib Subedar Ravinder Singh, a distinguished shooter hailing from Bishnah in Jammu, clinched the gold medal in the Men’s 50m Free Pistol event at the prestigious ISSF World Championships. The championship took place on September 25, 2023, at the Egypt International Olympic City Range, where Singh faced off against 47 elite shooters from around the globe.
Ravinder Singh, 29, showcased remarkable poise under pressure. He began the competition with a score of 93 in his first series. However, demonstrating his exceptional focus, he quickly recovered, posting scores of 98, 94, 95, 93, and ending with a stellar 96. He concluded the event with a total of 569 points, outshining South Korea’s Kim Cheongyong (556) and Individual Neutral Athlete Anton Aristarkhov (556), who secured silver and bronze, respectively.
Singh’s triumph is especially inspiring considering he returned to intense competition after being sidelined from training for over two weeks due to the recent birth of his daughter. He only managed 4-5 days of practice leading up to the championships, underscoring his immense discipline and resilience.
In addition to his individual success, Ravinder Singh’s performance also contributed to India’s commendable achievement of a silver medal in the 50m Free Pistol team event. Alongside teammates Kamaljeet (540) and Yogesh Kumar (537), the Indian team amassed a total of 1646 points, narrowly falling short of South Korea’s winning score.
A National Games silver medallist earlier this year, Ravinder Singh expressed his gratitude, emphasizing, “It’s not my personal achievement but for all those who stood behind me. I am thankful to my family and the Army for their support.” His words reflect the collective effort and encouragement from his community and institution throughout his journey.
Upon his return to Bishnah, Singh received a grand welcome. Former MLA Ashwani Kumar Sharma praised him as a beacon of inspiration for the youth, motivating them to aspire for excellence in sports. The streets filled with supporters, celebrating his historic victory with great fervor and pride.
Ravinder Singh’s achievement not only highlights individual excellence but also elevates India’s stature in international shooting sports. His story of dedication and hard work serves as a reminder that great things can be achieved with persistence and support from loved ones.