Niraj Kumar strikes bronze, secures India’s second LA 2028 Olympic quota at ISSF World Championship
Niraj Kumar won bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final at the ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha.
Niraj Kumar scored 346.5 to take bronze and claim India’s second Los Angeles 2028 Olympic quota at the ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha. RevSportz reported that Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar finished fifth with 323.7 and Akhil Sheoran placed 42nd in qualification.
Key takeaways
- Niraj Kumar won bronze with 346.5 in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final.
- The medal secured India’s second Olympic quota for Los Angeles 2028.
- Niraj topped qualification with 591 points and 29 inner tens.
- Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar finished fifth with 323.7 after qualifying fourth with 586 points.
- Akhil Sheoran finished 42nd in qualification.
India have another reason to celebrate at the ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha, as Niraj Kumar delivered a strong performance in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event to secure the country’s second Olympic quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. RevSportz reported that he also claimed the bronze medal with a total of 346.5.
Qualification and final performance
Niraj had already announced his intentions in the qualification round, finishing at the top of the standings with 591 points and 29 inner tens.
RevSportz reported that his performance featured a perfect 100 in the second kneeling series, another 100 in the second standing series and a 100 in the first prone series.
He carried that momentum into the final, where he held his nerve to secure a place on the podium.
Other Indian shooters
There was another Indian in contention for a place on the podium. 7 in the final, missing out on a medal. Tomar had qualified in fourth place with 586 points and 27 inner tens.
Although he did not make the best of starts in the qualification round, he showed considerable character to recover and book his place in the final. His first prone series, in which he registered a perfect 100, was one of the highlights of his qualification performance.
Meanwhile, India’s third participant, Akhil Sheoran, finished 42nd in the qualification round.
Context and what happens next
The bronze is India’s third straight medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event at the World Championships, after Akhil Sheoran’s bronze in 2023 and Aishwary Tomar’s silver in 2025, according to The Bridge.
It is also India’s second Los Angeles 2028 Olympic quota at the ongoing championship, RevSportz reported.
The 2026 World Shooting Championships is the 55th edition organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation and is serving as the qualification tournament for the 2028 Summer Olympics, according to Wikipedia.
The ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha runs from 1 to 14 November 2026, according to Wikipedia. RevSportz reported that the championship is ongoing and India’s second Olympic quota for Los Angeles 2028 has now been secured.
Indian results in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event
Player | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|
Niraj Kumar | Qualification | 591 points, 29 inner tens, first place |
Niraj Kumar | Final | Bronze, 346.5 |
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar | Qualification | 586 points, 27 inner tens, fourth place |
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar | Final | Fifth, 323.7 |
Akhil Sheoran | Qualification | 42nd place |
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