New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) International shooting returned to the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in Delhi on Tuesday as delegations arrived for the Asian Championship Rifle/Pistol, which gets underway on February 4.
The premier continental competition will run for 10 days, with the final medals scheduled to be decided on Friday, February 13, 2026.
According to a press release from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the championship features a strong field of 311 athletes from 20 countries across junior and senior categories, with 30 medal sets on offer. Youth competitions will also be held alongside the main events.
Hosts India have fielded the largest contingent, with 118 shooters entered for the championships. Kazakhstan will have the second-biggest squad with 35 athletes, while traditional Asian shooting powerhouses Korea, Iran, and Japan have also named strong teams.
Shooters from Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, and Hong Kong are also expected to challenge for podium finishes.
Speaking ahead of the event, NRAI secretary general Pawankumar Singh underlined the significance of the championship in a crucial year for the sport.
“This is a crucial year for Indian shooting as indeed for Asian shooters, as we have two major competitions coming up in the latter part of the year in the Asian Games and the World Championships, the latter awarding the first Los Angeles quota places,” he said.
“This will mark the beginning of the international season for the continent’s shooters and give them an opportunity to assess themselves early. We welcome all foreign teams and hope they have a pleasant stay in the country. The NRAI has left no stone unturned, thanks to the immense support from the Sports Authority of India, the Sports Ministry, and the Government of India and their agencies, to ensure a world-class international sporting experience,” Singh added.
Official pre-event training is scheduled for Tuesday, while the opening day of competition on Wednesday will feature four finals: the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol, along with the junior and youth men’s 10m air pistol events.
